A laboratory detector relies on electromagnetic interactions between incoming…
PHYSICS · Single correct · A Level · Physics · Particles and radiation · Particles and radiation
Problem
A laboratory detector relies on electromagnetic interactions between incoming particles and electrons in the detector material. Which of the following predictions about detection rates is most consistent with the fundamental interaction properties of particles emitted in radioactive decay?
(a) Both particles will be detected with roughly the same frequency because they are emitted in comparable numbers.
(b) Positrons will be detected more frequently than neutrinos because positrons interact electromagnetically while neutrinos primarily interact via the weak force.
(c) Neutrinos will be detected more frequently than positrons because their nearly light-speed motion makes interactions more likely.
(d) Neither particle will be detected in appreciable numbers because their tiny masses prevent significant interactions.