answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Alpha particles deflect backwards due to repulsive electrostatic force between the particles and nucleus. They are all charged positively (like charges repel), hence the repulsive electrostatic force

User Avatar

Wiki User

9y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

AnswerBot

1w ago

Alpha and beta rays deflect in opposite directions because they are charged particles with different charges. Alpha particles are positively charged, while beta particles are negatively charged. When they pass through a magnetic field, the Lorentz force acts in opposite directions on these charged particles, causing them to deflect in opposite directions.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

The most convincing explanation I can come up with is this. The Alpha particle (not a ray) is made of two neutrons and two protons. When it leaves the atom, it lowers the mass number and increases the neutron to proton ratio, since alpha radiation is mostly a heavy element phenomena, where there is an unequal amount of neutrons and protons. Beta particles (not rays either) are the result of a neutron changing into a proton. This causes a decrease in neutron to proton ratio, but with no change in mass number (even though two other particles are produced, an anti neutrino and a negative beta particle).

It seems that the two events have conflicts as to mass and neutron to proton ratio. The mass of course, cannot stay the same and also be lower, nor can the neutron to proton ratio both increase and decrease.

I had never thought of this until now, but it appears that Alpha particles and Beta Particles cannot be emitted simultaneously. Now I've got to determine if the processes can alternate! Oh My!

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

Alpha particle is nothing but the nucleus of Helium having two protons and two neutrons. Hence the charge becomes +2e

But beta particle is nothing but electron coming out of the radioactive nucleus by the decay of neutron into a proton and an electron. As electron is negativley charged it has -e

So as both alpha and beta possess opposite charges they get deflected in opposite directions due to electric or magnetic fields.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

Because alpha particles have so little mass, they cannot overcome the inertia of other atoms or molecules without great difficulty.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

they encountered a strong positive charge, aka the nucleus.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why do alpha and beta rays deflect in an opposite direction?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Physics

Can a magnet deflect beta radiation?

No, a magnet cannot deflect beta radiation. Beta radiation consists of fast-moving electrons or positrons, which are not affected by magnetic fields in the same way as charged particles like alpha radiation.


Why are alpha and beta rays deflected in opposite directions in a magnetic field?

Alpha and beta rays are deflected in opposite directions in a magnetic field due to their opposite charges. Alpha particles are positively charged, so they curve in one direction, while beta particles, which are negatively charged, curve in the opposite direction due to the Lorentz force acting on them.


When was Alpha Beta created?

Alpha Beta grocery stores was founded in 1917 in Pomona, California by Albert and Hugh Gerrard.


Why are alpha and beta rays bent in different directions?

Alpha particles are heavier and carry a positive charge, so they are more easily deflected by electromagnetic fields in a different direction than beta particles, which are lighter and negatively charged. This can occur if they pass through a medium that causes them to ionize and interact differently due to their mass and charge differences.


WHAT type of radiation is unaffected by magnetism?

beta radiation is effected by a magnetic Field. A beta particle will bend toward the south of the magnet (+). beta radiation bends because it is made up of a single electron with a negative charge also known as e-. this negative charge means that the beta radiation will bend toward the positive side of the magnetic field.

Related questions

What type of field would deflect alpha and beta particles?

A magnetic field would deflect both alpha and beta particles, as would a charged electric field.


Find the missing angles for triangle ABC given that a equals 24 b equals 36 and c equals 19?

Trig. Use law of cosines in degree mode. First find alpha; the angle opposite a a^2 = b^2 + c^2 - 2bc*cos(alpha) 24^2 = 36^2 + 19^2 - 2(36)(19)cos(alpha) 576 = 1657 - 1368cos(alpha) subtract 1657 from both sides( order of operations ) -1088 = -1368cos(alpha) 0.7902046784 = cos(alpha) arccos(0.7902046784) = alpha 38 degrees = alpha ( angle opposite side a ) find beta; angle opposite side b b^2 = a^2 + c^2 - 2ac*cos(beta) 1296 = 937 - 912cos(beta) 359 = -912cos(beta) -0.3936403509 = cos(beta) arcos(-0.3936403509 = beta 113 degrees = beta ( angle opposite of b ) easy thing to get last angle 180 degrees - 38 degrees - 113 degrees = 29 degrees; which is gamma; angle opposite c alpha( angle opposite a side = 38 degrees beta( angle opposite b side ) = 113 degrees gamma(angle opposite c side) = 29 degrees


When was Alpha Beta created?

Alpha Beta grocery stores was founded in 1917 in Pomona, California by Albert and Hugh Gerrard.


Why are alpha and beta rays deflected in opposite directions in a magnetic field?

Alpha and beta rays are deflected in opposite directions in a magnetic field due to their opposite charges. Alpha particles are positively charged, so they curve in one direction, while beta particles, which are negatively charged, curve in the opposite direction due to the Lorentz force acting on them.


WHAT type of radiation is unaffected by magnetism?

beta radiation is effected by a magnetic Field. A beta particle will bend toward the south of the magnet (+). beta radiation bends because it is made up of a single electron with a negative charge also known as e-. this negative charge means that the beta radiation will bend toward the positive side of the magnetic field.


When did Alpha Beta end?

Alpha Beta ended in 1995.


What is the percentage of alpha and beta in an equimolar mixture of alpha d glucose and beta d glucose?

In an equimolar mixture of alpha-D-glucose and beta-D-glucose, the percentage of alpha form would be 50% and the percentage of beta form would also be 50%.


What comes after alpha?

After alpha comes beta in the Greek alphabet.


Why is gold foil used in the alpha particle scattering?

Gold foil is used in alpha particle scattering experiments because gold is malleable and can be hammered into a thin foil, allowing alpha particles to pass through. Additionally, gold has a high atomic number, which means it has more protons in its nucleus, making it ideal for studying the scattering of alpha particles.


When was Alpha Beta Gamma created?

Alpha Beta Gamma was created in 1970.


When was Beta Phi Alpha created?

Beta Phi Alpha was created in 1919.


What is a another name for the stars called alpha and beta?

There is no single star called "alpha" or "beta". The brightest stars (usually) in each constellation are called "alpha" and "beta", followed by the Latin genitiv of the constellation; for example, "alpha centauri", "beta centauri", "alpha orionis", "alpha cruxis", etc.