Beta Decay Curve: KE Not Constant?

[Delzac]

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]

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]

kk thanks for your help.