Beta Decay Momentum Conservation · PhysicsBowl 2022 #39

Physics · modern-physics

Problem

A radioactive carbon-14 nucleus decays into a beta particle, an antineutrino, and a nitrogen-14 nucleus. In a particular decay, the beta particle has momentum, p, and the nitrogen nucleus has momentum of magnitude 4p/3 at an angle of 90° to p. At what angle (with respect to the beta particle) do you expect the antineutrino to be emitted? a. 53° b. 37° c. 90° d. 127° e. 33°

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