AQA A Level Physics复习笔记2.1.4 Alpha & Beta Decay

Alpha Decay

• Alpha decay is common in large, unstable nuclei with too many protons
• The decay involves a nucleus emitting an alpha particle and decaying into a different nucleus
• An alpha particle consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons (the nucleus of a Helium atom)

Alpha decay produces a daughter nucleus and an alpha particle (helium nucleus)

• When an unstable nucleus (the parent nucleus) emits radiation, the constitution of its nucleus changes
• As a result, the isotope will change into a different element (the daughter nucleus)
• Alpha decay can be represented by the following radioactive decay equation:

Alpha decay equation

• When an alpha particle is emitted from a nucleus:
  • The nucleus loses 2 protons: proton number decreases by 2
  • The nucleus loses 4 nucleons: nucleon number decreases by 4

   

ANSWER: C

Beta-Minus Decay

• A beta-minus, β-, particle is a high energy electron emitted from the nucleus
• β- decay is when a neutron turns into a proton emitting an electron and an anti-electron neutrino

• When a β- particle is emitted from a nucleus:
  • The number of protons increases by 1: proton number increases by 1
  • The total number of nucleons stays the same: nucleon number remains the same

   

Equation for beta minus emission

• The new nucleus formed from the decay is called the “daughter” nucleus (nitrogen in the example above)

Beta-Plus Decay

• A beta-plus, β+, particle is a high energy positron emitted from the nucleus
• β+ decay is when a proton turns into a neutron emitting a positron (anti-electron) and an electron neutrino

• When a β+ particle is emitted from a nucleus:
  • The number of protons decreases by 1: proton number decreases by 1
  • The total number of nucleons stays the same: nucleon number remains the same

   

Equation for beta plus emission

ANSWER: A

• An electron neutrino is a type of subatomic particle with no charge and negligible mass which is also emitted from the nucleus
• The anti-neutrino is the antiparticle of a neutrino
  • Electron anti-neutrinos are produced during β– decay
  • Electron neutrinos are produced during β+ decay

   

• Although the neutrino has no charge and negligible mass, its existence was hypothesised to account for the conservation of energy in beta decay