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NEET PHYSICSEasy

In the radioactive decay process, the negatively charged emitted \beta -particles are:

A

the electrons present inside the nucleus

B

the electrons produced as a result of the decay of neutrons inside the nucleus

C

the electrons produced as a result of collisions between atoms

D

the electrons orbiting around the nucleus

Step-by-Step Solution

  1. Nature of Beta Particles: Beta (β−\beta ^-) particles are high-energy electrons emitted from the nucleus of a radioactive atom .
  2. Origin: They do not exist within the nucleus prior to decay (ruling out Option 1) nor are they the orbital electrons surrounding the nucleus (ruling out Option 4).
  3. Mechanism: In beta-minus decay, an unstable neutron inside the nucleus transforms into a proton and an electron (along with an antineutrino) to achieve stability. n→p+e−+νˉn \rightarrow p + e^- + \bar{\nu}
  4. Emission: The proton remains in the nucleus (increasing the atomic number by 1), while the electron is ejected instantaneously as the β\beta -particle.
  5. Conclusion: Thus, β\beta -particles are electrons produced by the decay of neutrons inside the nucleus.
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