Beta Decay Curve: KE Not Constant?

Delzac · Apr 21, 2007

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

Meir Achuz · Apr 22, 2007

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.

Delzac · Apr 22, 2007

kk thanks for your help.

Beta Decay Curve: KE Not Constant?

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