Electron capture
= Electron capture
{title2=${}^A_ZX+e^-\longrightarrow{}^A_{Z-1}Y+\nu_e$}
A nucleus can capture an electron when energetically allowed, converting a proton into a neutron and emitting an electron <neutrino>. Beryllium-7 <electron capture> participates in one of the <proton-proton chain branches>. Stellar capture rates depend on ionization, <mass density> and electron phase space.