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An iodine nucleus decays into a nucleus of Xₑ-¹³¹, a beta-minus particle and particle Y - AQA - A-Level Physics - Question 12 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 12
An iodine nucleus decays into a nucleus of Xₑ-¹³¹, a beta-minus particle and particle Y. ₁³¹₅₃I → ₁³¹₅₄Xe + ₀⁻¹e + Y Which is a property of particle Y?
Worked Solution & Example Answer:An iodine nucleus decays into a nucleus of Xₑ-¹³¹, a beta-minus particle and particle Y - AQA - A-Level Physics - Question 12 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Which is a property of particle Y?
Answer
From the decay process, we see that iodine ( ₁³¹₅₃I) transforms into xenon ( ₁³¹₅₄Xe) by emitting a beta-minus particle ( ₀⁻¹e). The emitted beta particle indicates that Y is likely a neutrally charged particle.
Evaluating the given options:
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A: It has a lepton number of +1: This is incorrect; the emitted beta particle has a lepton number of +1, but Y does not contribute positively to the lepton number.
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B: It is an antiparticle: There is no evidence in the decay equation to suggest that Y is an antiparticle; it is likely a product of the decay.
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C: It is negatively charged: This is incorrect, as Y must be neutrally or positively charged to balance the overall charge.
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D: It experiences the strong interaction: Given Y's nature, it does not experience the strong interaction, as it is presumably a neutrino or similar.
Based on this analysis, the correct answer is D: It experiences the strong interaction.