Question

Statement - 1: A nucleus having energy E₁ decays by β emission to daughter nucleus having energy E₂ but the β- rays are emitted with a continuous energy spectrum having end point energy E₁-E₂. Statement - 2: To conserve energy and momentum in β decays, at least three particles must take part in the transformation.

• A. Statement -1 is true, statement -2 is true; statement -2 is not correct explanation of statement -1
• B. Statement -1 is false, statement -2 is true
• C. Statement -1 is true, statement -2 is false
• D. Statement -1 is true, statement -2 true; statement -2 is the correct explanation of statement -1

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Statement -1 is true, statement -2 true; statement -2 is the correct explanation of statement -1

Answer 2

In beta decay, energy is shared between the beta particle and a neutrino (or antineutrino). This sharing results in a continuous energy spectrum for the beta particles, with a maximum energy equal to the decay energy ($E_1 - E_2$). The involvement of a third particle (neutrino/antineutrino) is necessary to conserve both energy and momentum, explaining the continuous spectrum observed.