Question

A nuclide $A$ undergoes $\alpha$ decay and another nuclide $B$ undergoes ${\beta }^{-}$ decay

• A. All the $\alpha$ - particles emitted by $A$ will have almost the same speed
• B. The $\alpha$ -particles emitted by $A$ may have widely different speeds
• C. All the $\beta$ -particles emitted by $B$ will have almost the same speed
• D. The $\beta$ -particles emitted b $B$ may have widely different speeds

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (D)

The correct options are
A All the $\alpha$ - particles emitted by $A$ will have almost the same speed
D The $\beta$ -particles emitted b $B$ may have widely different speeds

In $\alpha$ decay, the entire energy is carried away by the alpha particle as its kinetic energy.
In ${\beta }^{-1}$ decay, the energy is shared between the $\beta$-particle and anti-neutrino. Hence, the speed of $\beta$ particle will vary depending on the energy of the anti-neutrino.