Which graph correctly represents the β-particle energy spectrum N(E) from a radioactive source? Image
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Question

Which graph correctly represents the β-particle energy spectrum N(E) from a radioactive source? Image

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

In β-decay the emitted electron shares a fixed Q-value continuously with the antineutrino and recoiling daughter nucleus. Therefore β particles have a continuous energy spectrum from nearly zero up to an end-point energy E₀, not a discrete line. The graph matching this behavior is the keyed option C.