- #1
theCandyman
- 398
- 2
Recently the radation physics class I am taking reviewed decay and I wondered how beta minus decay and electron capture can both emit neutrinos. I tried asking my professor, but I do not think I explained my question well enough to him.
To explain my mindset, imagine you have only one radioactive atom in the middle of a few electrons, nothing else exists that can influence them. The atom undergoes beta decay, emits an antineutrino, and captures a nearby electron to remain neutral. Now the atom undergoes electron capture and emits another neutrino. You are back where the cycle started, but down the energy of the two neutrinos, a small amount - but it is missing. Eventually that energy will add up if the cycle continues, so where does it all come from?
What is wrong with my reasoning above?
To explain my mindset, imagine you have only one radioactive atom in the middle of a few electrons, nothing else exists that can influence them. The atom undergoes beta decay, emits an antineutrino, and captures a nearby electron to remain neutral. Now the atom undergoes electron capture and emits another neutrino. You are back where the cycle started, but down the energy of the two neutrinos, a small amount - but it is missing. Eventually that energy will add up if the cycle continues, so where does it all come from?
What is wrong with my reasoning above?