Editing Beta particle (section)

=== β<sup>+</sup> decay (positron emission) ===
{{main|Positron emission}}
Unstable atomic nuclei with an excess of protons may undergo β<sup>+</sup> decay, also called positron decay, where a proton is converted into a neutron, a [[positron]], and an [[electron neutrino]]:

:{{SubatomicParticle|proton}} → {{SubatomicParticle|neutron}} + {{SubatomicParticle|positron}} + {{SubatomicParticle|electron neutrino}}

Beta-plus decay can only happen inside nuclei when the absolute value of the [[binding energy]] of the daughter nucleus is greater than that of the parent nucleus, i.e., the daughter nucleus is a lower-energy state.