Question

The total kinetic energy, of the electron antineutrinos pair, in the β –decay process, equals 8.10 x 10⁶ eV. The antineutrinos, formed in this decay, could escape with a maximum kinetic energy of

(1) zero

(2) Much less than 8.0 x 10⁶ eV

(3) Nearly 0.8 x 10⁶ eV

(4) Much larger than 0.8 x 10⁶ eV

Answer 1

(2) Much less than 8.0 x 10⁶ eV

The following reaction represents β decay process

\(n\rightarrow p+\bar{e}+\bar\nu\)

In this decay process the kinetic energy of the pair of electron and antineutrons is constant. When K.E of electron is maximum, K.E. of \(\bar\nu\) is zero. The antineutrinos will have maximum energy when K.E of electron is zero. 

Maximum K.E of antineutron will be nearly 0.8 x 10⁶ eV.