The discussion centers on whether daughter particles resulting from beta decay (and other types of radioactive decay) are ionized. Participants explore the implications of decay processes on the ionization state of daughter particles and the subsequent interactions with surrounding matter.
Participants generally agree that daughter particles can be ionized, but there is no consensus on the specifics of how quickly they neutralize or the conditions under which neutral atoms may be produced. Multiple competing views and uncertainties remain regarding the details of these processes.
Limitations include the dependence on the energy of the emitted particles, the type of material involved, and the specific decay processes being considered. The discussion does not resolve the branching fractions or the implications of energy distribution in beta decay.
Very briefly (less than an nanosecond (10-9 s), and probably on the order of 10-11 s). [I'll try to find an open source reference] Note that a beta particle is an electron and it will have a short range in the matter. It may collide with other electrons in the original atom, but it will interact with other electrons in neighboring atoms. The range in the material depends on the energy of the beta particle and type of material (electron density and binding energies of the atomic electrons). A positive ion will 'steal' an electron from a neighboring atom, which sets off a cascade of electrons jumping from other atoms until the original beta electron finds an ion and recombines.rpthomps said:Summary:: I was wondering if the resulting daughter element is ionized after the parent undergoes beta(or any other kind) of radioactive decay,
I was wondering if the resulting daughter element is ionized after the parent undergoes beta(or any other kind) of radioactive decay,
Thank you so much!mathman said:Daughter particles (charges) such as alpha (He4 nucleus) or beta (electrons or positrons) are ions. However there are enough other things around to quickly neutralize.
Thanks!mathman said:Daughter particles (charges) such as alpha (He4 nucleus) or beta (electrons or positrons) are ions. However there are enough other things around to quickly neutralize.
Wow! Thanks for the reply!Astronuc said:Very briefly (less than an nanosecond (10-9 s), and probably on the order of 10-11 s). [I'll try to find an open source reference] Note that a beta particle is an electron and it will have a short range in the matter. It may collide with other electrons in the original atom, but it will interact with other electrons in neighboring atoms. The range in the material depends on the energy of the beta particle and type of material (electron density and binding energies of the atomic electrons). A positive ion will 'steal' an electron from a neighboring atom, which sets off a cascade of electrons jumping from other atoms until the original beta electron finds an ion and recombines.
When a positron (sometimes called a positive beta particle) is emitted, the atomic charge goes from Z to Z-1 and an atomic electron is emitted. The positron slows down through collisions until it combines with a negative electron and the pair annihilates into two photons of ~0.511 MeV. That is the basis of a PET scan. The atom that loses an electron then steals an electron from one of its neighbors and that starts a cascade of electron stealing until atom absorbs the free electron from the atom that emitted the positron.
In the case of the alpha particle, the atom number decreases by 2, i.e., Z -> Z-2, and so two electrons are lost. The alpha particle will slow down in the vicinity of the atom from which it came and become a helium atom, while the emitting atom will lose two electrons. Those free electrons will migrate to an available ion and recombine.
Thank you!mathman said:Daughter particles (charges) such as alpha (He4 nucleus) or beta (electrons or positrons) are ions. However there are enough other things around to quickly neutralize.