Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]PhysicsThe Nucleus
Consider a sample of pure beta-active material.
Options
- ABeta particles exist within the nucleus prior to being ejected during beta decay.
- BEvery emitted beta particle possesses the same energy.
- CThe antineutrino produced in a beta decay has zero mass and consequently zero momentum.
- DAfter the beta decay, the active nucleus transforms into one of its isobars.
Correct answer
D. After the beta decay, the active nucleus transforms into one of its isobars.
Step-by-step solution
Beta particles are electrons (or positrons) that do not exist inside the nucleus but are created at the instant of decay when a neutron converts into a proton (or vice versa). The energy released in beta decay is shared between the beta particle and the antineutrino (or neutrino). Thus, beta particles are emitted with a continuous spectrum of energies, not a single discrete energy. The antineutrino has a very small, non-zero mass. Even if considered massless, it carries energy and therefore possesses momentum ( p =