At first glance, it would seem that the unstable 7Be nucleus could decay into a stable 7Li nucleus either by capturing an electron or through β+ decay.
(a) From an energy point of view, what should occur: (1) only electron capture, (2) only decay, or (3) both are equally likely? Explain your reasoning.
(b) What is the energy of the emitted neutrino (neglect daughter nucleus recoil) in the possible decays chosen in part (a)?