The electrons emitted from a nucleus during beta decay range from a minimum ener

Question

The electrons emitted from a nucleus during beta decay range from a minimum energy of zero up to a maximum of Emax. However, the energy of the nucleus is always reduced by Emax. What explains this difference in energy?

-A photon of energy Emax - Eelectron is emitted from the nucleus along with the electron.

-A neutrino of energy Emax - Eelectron is emitted from the nucleus along with the electron.    

-Only momentum has to be conserved in beta decay, not energy.

-A positron is also emitted by the nucleus but quickly annihilated.

-Nothing needs to be explained; momentum and energy are not conserved in beta decay.

Explanation / Answer

-A photon of energy Emax - Eelectron is emitted from the nucleus along with the electron.

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