In reply to Bob Cook's message of Thu, 23 Apr 2015 09:13:54 -0700: Hi, [snip] >The Ni isotopic changes sure seem to indicate that Ni-58 is involved as well >as the formation of Cu-65. What happens between 58 and 65 is not clear. >However it looks like there is a reaction that creates Cu isotopes. Ni-63 >(100 years half life) to Cu-63 (a beta decay reaction with no gamma) is a >possibility. The amount of Cu to begin with would be useful, to understand >how much Cu is forming.
I think that the proton-electron pair when absorbed has a choice. The electron can either combine with the proton to form a neutron, or the proton can remain as a proton and eject the electron. The actual reaction chosen is the one which results in a stable nucleus. Ni62 + n => Ni63 which is not stable. Ni62 + p => Cu63 which is stable, so this path is chosen. With this choice always available, it's possible to follow a path of growth that always goes through stable isotopes. Regards, Robin van Spaandonk http://rvanspaa.freehostia.com/project.html
