Question

Neon - 23 decays in the following way ₁₀Ne²³ →₁₁Na²³ + _-1e⁰ + bar v. Find the minimum and maximum and maximum kinetic energy that the beta particle (_-1e⁰) can have. The atomic masses of ²³Ne and ²³Na are 22.9945u and 22.9898u, respectively.

Answer 1

Here, atomic masses are given (not the nuclear masses), but still we can use them for calculating the mass defect because mass of electrons get cancelled both sides. Thus,

Hence, the energy of beta particle can range from 0 to 4.4 MeV.