Can You Explain Beta Minus Decay and its Relation to Neutrinos?

  • Thread starter Thread starter hasnain721
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Beta Decay
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Beta minus decay is a nuclear process where a parent nucleus transforms into a daughter nucleus, emitting an electron and an antineutrino as side products. The majority of the energy from this decay is transferred to these two particles, while the nucleus itself experiences minimal recoil. If only the electron were emitted, the energy distribution would appear as a straight line on a graph, indicating a limited range of energies. This discussion clarifies the relationship between beta decay, neutrinos, and energy distribution.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of nuclear physics concepts, particularly beta decay.
  • Familiarity with particle physics terminology, including antineutrinos and kinetic energy.
  • Basic knowledge of energy conservation in nuclear reactions.
  • Ability to interpret graphs related to energy distributions in particle emissions.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mechanics of beta decay in detail, focusing on the role of antineutrinos.
  • Explore energy distribution graphs in particle physics, specifically for beta decay processes.
  • Learn about the implications of missing energy in nuclear reactions and its significance in particle physics.
  • Investigate the properties and detection methods of neutrinos in experimental physics.
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in nuclear physics, particle physicists, and anyone interested in the mechanisms of beta decay and neutrino interactions.

hasnain721
Messages
40
Reaction score
0
[SOLVED] beta minus decay?

Hi,
Here is a question from beta minus decay which i could not understand :


http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/2512/59060072re9.jpg


I could do the first bit but not the second. I believe that it has something to do with neutrinos and missing energy but i am not 100% sure about it.


Thanks.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
hasnain,

Beta decay involves the transition of a parent nucleus into a daughter nucleus with two sideproducts; an electron and an antineutrino.

Since the nucleus is so massive, it carries little kinetic energy away from the reaction (it recoils very little), the vast majority of the energy goes into the two sideproducts.

Now let me ask you a question:

If there was only the electron as a sideproduct, would there be a continuous range of energies as we see here?
 
astrorob said:
hasnain,

Beta decay involves the transition of a parent nucleus into a daughter nucleus with two sideproducts; an electron and an antineutrino.

Since the nucleus is so massive, it carries little kinetic energy away from the reaction (it recoils very little), the vast majority of the energy goes into the two sideproducts.

Now let me ask you a question:

If there was only the electron as a sideproduct, would there be a continuous range of energies as we see here?

hi,
Thanks a lot for replyin astrorob.


As far as the question goes, i believe that if only an electron was a side product them the graph would have been a straight line parallel to the y axis. Is that right?
 
hasnain,

You are correct. There would be only a small range of energies the electron could carry away and this would manifest itself (essentially) as a straight line at x=0.78.
 
astrorob said:
hasnain,

You are correct. There would be only a small range of energies the electron could carry away and this would manifest itself (essentially) as a straight line at x=0.78.



Thanks a lot astrorob.

CHeers!
 
You're welcome.
 

Similar threads

Graduate Beta Decay, why did they have to resort to Neutrinos?
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
4K
Beta Minus and Beta Plus Decay Disintegration Energies
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
In 2 consecutive decays, determine max and min energies for a particle
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad How Does Beta Decay Relate to the Role of W Bosons in Weak Nuclear Force?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
Graduate Beta/gamma decay probabilities
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Photon Polarizations in Positronium Decay
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Undergrad Energy reduction/deflection of beta particles due to isotope geometry
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
High School Understanding Beta Decay: The Role of Quarks, Leptons, and Bosons
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Graduate What Causes the Flavor Change in Beta Minus Decay?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Beta decay and Heisenberg principle
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K