Beta ray emitted by a radioactive substance is:
Correct answer: C. An electron emitted by the nucleus as a of the decay of neutrons inside the nucleus.
- A. An electron which was existing outside the nucleus.
- B. An electron which was existing inside the nucleus.
- C. An electron emitted by the nucleus as a of the decay of neutrons inside the nucleus.
- D. A pulse of electromagnetic waves.
Explanation
An unstable atom can attain stability by radioactive decay such as alpha, beta or gamma decay. When a β particle is leaving the parent atom it increases the atomic number (Z) by 1. Beta rays emit as a proton and electron from the nucleus. The proton remains in the nucleus while an electron will escape the nucleus as it has de-Broglie wavelength.
This question appeared on the UHS MDCAT 2008 paper, which you can sit online with every answer explained.
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About Radioactive Decay
Radioactive decay is the spontaneous transformation of unstable nuclei, described by decay constant, activity, half life and the exponential decay law. Work includes alpha, beta and gamma emissions, decay equations and remaining nuclei, with half life distinguished from the time required for complete decay.
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