Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Atoms, nuclei and radiation

Atoms, nuclei and radiation — practice question

What statement accounts for alpha-particles having discrete energies, while beta-particles show a continuous range of energies?

  • ABeta-particles have a much smaller mass than alpha-particles which means beta-particles can be emitted with a larger range of velocities.
  • BOnly alpha-particles experience repulsion from the nucleus which is dependent on the number of protons in the nucleus.
  • COnly beta-particles are emitted with another lepton and some energy is transferred to the other lepton.
  • DOnly the energy of alpha-particles is discrete because the composition of alpha-particles is always the same.

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