User interface language: English | Español

Date November 2012 Marks available 3 Reference code 12N.3.SL.TZ0.7
Level Standard level Paper Paper 3 Time zone Time zone 0
Command term Describe Question number 7 Adapted from N/A

Question

This question is about neutrinos.

The spectrum of electron energies emitted in a typical β-decay is continuous. Describe how this observation led physicists to propose the existence of the particles now called neutrinos.

Markscheme

Look for these points:
idea that total energy released in the decay is fixed;
beta particle energies are less than this value/continuous;
the neutrino is postulated to account for this “missing” energy;

Examiners report

[N/A]

Syllabus sections

Additional higher level (AHL) » Topic 12: Quantum and nuclear physics » 12.2 – Nuclear physics
Show 77 related questions

View options