Question

Wavelength of beta particles?​

Answer 1

Answer:

In a given spectrum of bremsstrahlung, the shortest wavelength, λmin, is observed when a beta particle or electron undergoes a direct collision with the nucleus of an atom and loses all of its kinetic energy, hνmax, as bremsstrahlung or x-radiation

Answer 2

When beta particles from a particular radionuclide source strike an absorber material, a wide spectrum of bremsstrahlung photon wavelengths (or energies) will be produced. The bremsstrahlung photon energies will range from zero to a maximum photon energy, hνmax. The broad spectrum of bremsstrahlung is due to the broad possibilities of different interactions, ie, deflections or collisions, that the beta particles can have with atomic nuclei of the absorber and the broad spectrum of beta-particle energies emitted from any given radionuclide. In a given spectrum of bremsstrahlung, the shortest wavelength, λmin, is observed when a beta particle or electron undergoes a direct collision with the nucleus of an atom and loses all of its kinetic energy, hνmax, as bremsstrahlung or x-radiation according to the relation:

[]

which follows the energy-wavelength Planck–Einstein relation previously described by Eq. [8.1].

Let us consider an example of a 1710-keV beta particle from 32P (Emax = 1.71 MeV) striking a nucleus. If the beta particle loses all of its energy in the collision, the wavelength of the bremsstrahlung emitted from this interaction according to Eq. [8.15] would be:

Å

Å

for the conversion of the constant hc to convenient units of eV m or eV Å. Bremsstrahlung production by high-energy beta particles in absorber material of high atomic number is significant...: “Beta Radiation and Beta Decay”). Consequently to reduce the production of bremsstrahlung in radiation shielding against the harmful effects of high-energy beta particles, an absorber of low atomic number (eg, plastic) may be preferred over one of high atomic number (eg, Pb-glass).