Question

Why is it problematic to conclude that the nuclide in the beta source decays more readily than the nuclide in the alpha source?

Answer 1

It's somehow believed that the nuclide in the beta source decays readily than the nuclide in the alpha source. But there are some facts which will also go against this. Those are:-

1.In beta decay one proton or electron is lost in terms of energy and the neutron number is increased. But it alpha decay more energy lost in terms of proton and neutron. So it is clear that it also needs to get more excitation energy for alpha decay to occur, hence the readiness is not that much higher in beta decay too.

2. The energy, momentum is always Conserved. So, we can't conclude that the decay will take place readily in Beta decay because it has more energy and its unstable.

Hence its problematic to say it. Thank you