Question

(a) Draw the energy level diagram showing the emission of `beta`-particles followed by `gamma`-rays by a `._(27)^(60)Co` nucleus.
(b) Plot the distribution of kinetic enrgy of `beta`-particles and state why the energy spectrum is continous.

Answer 1

(a)
(b) The distribution of kinectic energy of `beta`-particles is shown below:

In `beta`-decay, the disintergration is shared by threee decay products, the daughter nucleus, electron`//`positron and anitneutrino`//`neutrino. So the kinetic energy of electron`//`positron is not fixed. Consequently. the energy of spectrum is continuous.