Beta Decay Curve: KE Not Constant?

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SUMMARY

The beta decay graph depicting the relationship between the number of beta particles and their kinetic energy is characterized by a bell-shaped curve due to the emission of neutrinos. This phenomenon occurs because the decay process involves three bodies, which leads to a distribution of kinetic energy values rather than a single constant value. The conservation of energy and momentum principles dictate this variability in electron energy during beta decay.

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Delzac
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Hi all,

Why is the beta decay graph( no. of Beta particle vs Kinetic energy) a curve(or sort of bell shape). I understand that neutrinos are emitted, even so shouldn't the KE be a constant value?

Thanks
 
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You probably mean a curve of number of events vs electron KE.
Since the decay is into three bodies, conservation of energy and momentum does not give a single value for the electron energy.
 
kk thanks for your help.
 

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