MCAT


 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

beta decay

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    mcat-prep.com Forum Index -> MCAT Physics
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
deescovery8899



Joined: 06 Aug 2007
Posts: 1

PostPosted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 10:10 pm    Post subject: beta decay Reply with quote

How can you tell if the particle emitted in a beta decay is a positron or an electron?

Thanks.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
admin
Site Admin


Joined: 08 Dec 2003
Posts: 2176

PostPosted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 10:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

For the MCAT, 99.9% chance that it would be an electron. Either way, however, it's quite easy because you simply replace the particle in the stoichiometric equation with e superscript 0 subscript -1 for an electron or just change to +1 for a positron. Then you just make sure everything adds up:

http://www.colorado.edu/physics/2000/isotopes/radioactive_decay.html

http://education.jlab.org/glossary/betadecay.html

PS no neutrino/antineutrino previous knowledge is required for the new MCAT.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    mcat-prep.com Forum Index -> MCAT Physics All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
phpBB SEO