In the 1930's physicists were experimenting with a type of radioactive decay called beta decay. In one
Question:
In the 1930's physicists were experimenting with a type of radioactive decay called beta decay. In one example, carbon-14 nuclei (6 protons, 8 neutrons) were observed to decay into nitrogen-14 (7 protons, 7 neutrons) nuclei, an electron, and an unseen particle called a neutrino. In this decay event, 5.70x 10-14 J of energy was converted from mass-energy to kinetic energy. A Nitrogen-14 nucleus has a mass of 2.32526x 1026 kg and an electron has a mass of 9.10938356 x 10-31 kg. Before the decay, the carbon-14 nucleus was at rest. After the decay, the electron is measured to be moving at 2.0424 x 108 m/s and the nitrogen-14 nucleus is moving at 1.2784 x 10 m/s at an angle of 124° from the direction of the electron's motion. The neutrino is not measured, but t's presence is inferred from the missing momentum and energy How much momentum and energy did the neutrino carry away and what angle did it travel relative to the electron?
Expert Answer:
San Mass energy converted into kinetic energy E 570 x 1014 J Mass of Nitrogen14 MN 232526x1026 kg As ... View the full answer
