Proton Emission

Proton Emission is a rare form of radioactive decay in which a proton is ejected from a nucleus.

Proton Emission

Proton Emission Latest News

An international collaboration of researchers recently detected and measured the half-life of the heaviest proton emitter, the 188At (astatine) isotope, which decayed by emitting a proton. 

About Proton Emission

  • Proton emission (also known as proton radioactivity) is a rare form of radioactive decay in which a proton is ejected from a nucleus.
    • Radioactive decay is the process of an unstable atom transitioning to a more stable form. 
    • It may do so by releasing subatomic particles and energy or by capturing an orbital electron into the nucleus and releasing energy. 
  • Proton emission can occur from high-lying excited states in a nucleus following a beta decay, in which case the process is known as beta-delayed proton emissionor can occur from the ground state (or a low-lying isomer) of very proton-rich nuclei, in which case the process is very similar to alpha decay. 
    • Alpha decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle. An alpha particle consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons, which is the same as a helium nucleus (⁴₂He).
    • Beta decay occurs when a nucleus emits a beta particle, which can be an electron (β⁻) or a positron (β⁺).
  • For a proton to escape a nucleus, the proton separation energy must be negative – the proton is therefore unbound, and tunnels out of the nucleus in a finite time. 
  • Proton emission is not seen in naturally-occurring isotopes; proton emitters can be produced via nuclear reactions, usually utilising some kind of particle accelerator.
  • The rate of proton emission is governed by the nuclear, Coulomb, and centrifugal potentials of the nucleus, where centrifugal potential affects a large part of the rate of proton emission. 
  • The half-life of a nucleus with respect to proton emission is affected by the proton energy and its orbital angular momentum.
    • Half-life is the time that it takes for half of the original value of some amount of a radioactive element to decay.

Proton Emission FAQs

Q1. What is proton emission?

Ans. It is a rare form of radioactive decay in which a proton is ejected from a nucleus.

Q2. In which condition does proton emission typically occur? 

Ans. In proton-rich nuclei.

Q3. What is required for a proton to be emitted from the nucleus?

Ans. Negative proton separation energy.

SourceTH

Latest UPSC Exam 2025 Updates

Last updated on July, 2025

UPSC Notification 2025 was released on 22nd January 2025.

UPSC Prelims Result 2025 is out now for the CSE held on 25 May 2025.

UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2025 and Unofficial Prelims Answer Key 2025  are available now.

UPSC Calendar 2026 is released on 15th May, 2025.

→ The UPSC Vacancy 2025 were released 1129, out of which 979 were for UPSC CSE and remaining 150 are for UPSC IFoS.

UPSC Mains 2025 will be conducted on 22nd August 2025.

UPSC Prelims 2026 will be conducted on 24th May, 2026 & UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted on 21st August 2026.

→ The UPSC Selection Process is of 3 stages-Prelims, Mains and Interview.

UPSC Result 2024 is released with latest UPSC Marksheet 2024. Check Now!

UPSC Toppers List 2024 is released now. Shakti Dubey is UPSC AIR 1 2024 Topper.

→ Also check Best IAS Coaching in Delhi

Tags: Prelims Pointers proton emission upsc current affairs upsc prelims current affairs

Vajiram Editor
Vajiram Editor
At Vajiram & Ravi, our team includes subject experts who have appeared for the UPSC Mains and the Interview stage. With their deep understanding of the exam, they create content that is clear, to the point, reliable, and helpful for aspirants.Their aim is to make even difficult topics easy to understand and directly useful for your UPSC preparation—whether it’s for Current Affairs, General Studies, or Optional subjects. Every note, article, or test is designed to save your time and boost your performance.
UPSC GS Course 2026
UPSC GS Course 2026
₹1,75,000
Enroll Now
GS Foundation Course 2 Yrs
GS Foundation Course 2 Yrs
₹2,45,000
Enroll Now
Prelims PowerupTest Series
Prelims PowerupTest Series
₹13000
Enroll Now
UPSC Mains Test Series
UPSC Mains Test Series
₹16000
Enroll Now
UPSC Mentorship Program
UPSC Mentorship Program
₹85000
Enroll Now
Enquire Now