Beta Particles -- range of energies?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Beta particles exhibit a range of energies due to the nature of beta decay, where multiple particles are emitted, resulting in a spectrum of energies from nearly zero to a maximum value. This contrasts with alpha and gamma decays, which emit particles with fixed energies. The energy distribution is influenced by the conservation of energy in the decay process, where the beta particle and neutrino share the total energy Q. Understanding this concept is crucial for grasping the behavior of beta decay in nuclear physics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of beta decay processes
  • Familiarity with energy conservation in nuclear reactions
  • Knowledge of particle physics terminology
  • Basic comprehension of the differences between alpha, beta, and gamma radiation
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the energy spectrum of beta decay on authoritative sources like Wikipedia
  • Study the conservation of energy in three-body decay processes
  • Learn about the mathematical representation of energy in beta decay, specifically E_\beta = Q
  • Explore the implications of neutrino emission in beta decay
USEFUL FOR

Students of nuclear physics, researchers in particle physics, and educators looking to explain the nuances of beta decay and energy distributions in radioactive processes.

MoAli
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
Hello, I was wondering if someone could explain to me what does it meant that a beta particle has a range of energies ? Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
A single particle has a single energy, but different particles (coming from decays of the same type of atom) have different energies (a spectrum from "nearly zero" to some maximum value). That is different from alpha and gamma decays where you get fixed energies for all emitted particles.
 
Depends on the context - where did you see this?
 
mfb said:
A single particle has a single energy, but different particles (coming from decays of the same type of atom) have different energies (a spectrum from "nearly zero" to some maximum value). That is different from alpha and gamma decays where you get fixed energies for all emitted particles.

to add to this, check out the energy spectrum on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta_decay and the section on energy release
 
That is the result of the three-body products...
For example, the case where x=A has a single solution. However what happens if I tell you that x+y =A ?
As the wiki states, the beta and the corresponding neutrino carry out the energy Q...
If you had only one electron, it's energy would be given by E_\beta =Q... with the neutrino however you have E_\beta + E_\nu = Q
 

Similar threads

Graduate Beta Decay, why did they have to resort to Neutrinos?
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
4K
Undergrad GM tube and dual probe scintillator
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad Energy reduction/deflection of beta particles due to isotope geometry
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad Neutrinoless double beta decay derivation
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad Long-range beam-beam interactions
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Undergrad Lab energy available in threshold (endothermic) reactions
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
Undergrad How Does Beta Decay Relate to the Role of W Bosons in Weak Nuclear Force?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
Undergrad Energy distribution plot of neutrinos in beta decay
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Graduate "Reversal" of Nuclear Decay in Beta Emitters
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
High School Beta particle penetration in our cloud chamber?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K