Determining the charges on alpha (a), beta (p), and gamma (y) rays In the absenc

Question

Determining the charges on alpha (a), beta (p), and gamma (y) rays In the absence of an electric field, a radioactive beam strikes a fluorescent screen at a single point. When an electric field is applied, the radioactive beam is separated into three different components. One of the components is deflected toward the positive electrode because it is negatively charged, one of the components is deflected toward the negative electrode because it is positively charged, and one component is not deflected in any direction; instead, it moves along a straight path. Identify the charges possessed by the different components of the radioactive beam by observing their behavior under the influence of an electric field. Drag the appropriate items to their respective bins.

Explanation / Answer

An alpha particle is two protons and two neutrons "stuck" together due to the strong force. You can think of it as a helium-4 nucleus, though it's ejected from the nuclei of larger atoms. It has a charge of +2.

A beta particle is an electron, also emitted from a nucleus (because a neutron -> proton+ electron + anti-neutrino). It has a charge of -1.

A gamma ray is a photon A gamma ray is simply called a gamma ray, and has no charge.

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