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

Atoms, nuclei and radiation — practice question

A nucleus $X$ that is initially at rest decays by releasing a $\beta^{+}$ particle and turns into carbon-13 ($^{13}_{6}\text{C}$). One incomplete decay equation is $X \rightarrow {}^{13}_{6}\text{C} + \beta^{+}$.
(a)[1]

State the particle class that contains $\beta^{+}$.

(b)[1]

For nucleus $X$, state how many protons and how many neutrons it has.

(c)[3]

The carbon-13 nucleus has a mass of $2.2 \times 10^{-26}\,\text{kg}$. Its kinetic energy because of the decay is $0.80\,\text{MeV$.} Calculate the speed of this nucleus.

(d)[1]

Explain why the combined kinetic energies of the carbon-13 nucleus and the $\beta^{+}$ particle cannot be the same as the total energy released by the decay process.

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