Question

Which of the following is a correct statement?
A) Beta rays are same as cathode rays
B) Gamma rays are high-energy neutrons
C) Alpha particles are singly ionized helium atoms
D) Protons and neutrons have exactly the same mass

Answer 1

Hint: Various types of particles are emitted during different nuclear reaction processes and their characteristics are different. The characteristics are based on the emitted particle’s charge, mass and shape.

Complete step by step solution:
As we know, both beta particles and cathode rays consist of a stream of electrons. As a result of beta decay, that is the radioactive decaying of nucleus, high energy electrons are emitted. And cathode rays are rays observed in vacuum tubes with two electrodes, where a voltage is applied. Emission of electron beams is observed there.

And gamma decay is an electromagnetic radiation where gamma rays are emitted and that is, gamma rays are photons. They are penetrating in nature and can harm living cells. It is used for medical as well as industrial purposes in a controlled manner Gamma particle is a spontaneous electromagnetic process and the unstable nucleus radiates gamma particles in the form of photons or packets of electromagnetic energy, of extremely short wavelength.. Alpha particles are really doubly ionized helium atoms. That means they are helium atoms with both of their electrons removed. Now, when we consider protons and neutrons, they are slightly different in their masses and protons have positive charge while neutrons are neutral.

Final answer is: Option (A), Beta rays are the same as cathode rays.

Note: The neutrons are slightly heavier than protons because the neutron's second down quark is heavier than the proton's second up quark. There are four types of nuclear reactions, and they are fission, fusion. Nuclear decay and transmutation.