beta decay and the neutrino

Question 1

the BETA DECAY problem

Answer 1

:beta decay gives off electrons with a continuum of energies up to a max value

• implies some particles other than electrons carry away some of the energy
• particles must be low/0 mass and have neutral charge in order to satisfy the beta decay equations

Question 2

properties of neutrinos

Answer 2

• neutral charge
• low/0 mass
• unaffected by the SNF
• very penetrative
• extremely difficult to detect as they interact so rarely with matter

Question 3

come in 3 “flavours”

Answer 3

• electron neutrinos (found in beta decay)
• muon neutrinos
• tau neutrinos
  all 3 types can be either neutrinos or antineutrinos

Question 4

beta decay rules

Answer 4

• occurs in unstable nuclei or isolated neutrons
• beta emitters are most likely to be nuclei with a large number of neutrons
• a neutron turns into a proton and an electron and an electron antineutrino are emitted

Question 5

beta decay equation

Answer 5

n -> p+ e+~Ve

Question 6

ELECTRON CAPTURE

Answer 6

:a proton in a proton-rich unstable nucleus “grabs” an electron from the atom’s electron shell and becomes a neutron, an electron neutrino is emitted

Question 7

electron capture equation

Answer 7

p+e- -> n+Ve