Radioactive Emissions Basics - Check Answers & Clear Signs

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the basics of radioactive emissions, specifically focusing on the properties of gamma rays and neutrons, including their charge and relative mass as presented in a textbook.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster expresses confusion regarding the properties of gamma emissions and neutrons, questioning the accuracy of their textbook. Some participants confirm the original poster's understanding while others seek to verify the claims made.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with some participants providing supportive insights regarding the properties of gamma rays and neutrons. There is a suggestion to consult a teacher for further clarification, indicating a proactive approach to resolving the confusion.

Contextual Notes

There is an underlying assumption that textbooks are typically reliable, which is being questioned in this case. The original poster's uncertainty about the textbook's accuracy reflects a common concern among students regarding the trustworthiness of educational materials.

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I've just been working on some of the basics of radioactive emissions. I checked my answers in the back of the book and was so supried at what I found. I just want to clear some of these signs. charges and and relative mass.

Gamma ^1_1\gamma

Neutron^1_1n

I thought that gamma emission had no charge or relative mass. I also thought that the neutron had a relative mass of one, but no charge...

Is the answer book incorrect? Or do I just not trust it enough?

Thanks :cool:
 
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As far as I'm aware, you're correct, the book is not.
 
Could you source that?
 
Uh... not off the top of my head. Gamma is electromagnetic radiation, and is therefore massless and chargeless. Neutrons are almost equivalent in mass to protons (with negligible difference), and therefore have mass 1, and (as the name suggests) electrically neutral, thus no charge.
 
You see that is exactly what I thought, but it's not very common for a textbook to be wrong after many students before me would have used it, and it's hard to believe it would not have been spotted. Thank you.
 
I will consult my teacher
 

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