$A$ nuclear decay is possible if the mass of the parent nucleus exceeds the total mass of the decay particles. If $M(A, Z)$ denotes the mass of a single neutral atom of an element with mass number $A$ and atomic number $Z$,then the minimal condition that the $\beta^{-}$ decay $X_Z^A \rightarrow Y_{Z+1}^A + \beta^{-} + \bar{\nu}_e$ will occur is ($m_e$ denotes the mass of the $\beta^{-}$ particle and the neutrino mass $m_{\nu}$ can be neglected).

  • A
    $M(A, Z) > M(A, Z+1) + m_e$
  • B
    $M(A, Z) > M(A, Z+1)$
  • C
    $M(A, Z) > M(A, Z+1) + Z m_e$
  • D
    $M(A, Z) > M(A, Z+1) - m_e$

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