
During electron capture (also known as K-capture) an electron from generally the lowest energy level (n=1) is pulled into the nucleus. The result is the conversion of a proton into a neutron. This causes the atomic number (Z) to decrease by one while the mass number (A) remains the same. No particle is ejected but as extra-nuclear electrons drop down to fill in the vacancy in n=1, energy is given off.
In the example shown above an isotope of rubidium undergoes electron capture and becomes an isotope of krypton.
The process can be represented in a balanced nuclear reaction using the isotopic symbols:
We can check that the reaction is balanced by comparing the sums of the lower numbers on each side and the upper numbers. There should be no net change.