Chapter 18: Problem 71

Describe some of the similarities and differ- ences between atomic electrons and beta particles.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Atomic electrons and beta particles have the same mass and negative beta particles and atomic electrons carry a similar negative charge, but the crucial difference lies in their location and function. Atomic electrons reside in the electron cloud around the atomic nucleus, whereas beta particles are emitted from the atomic nucleus during a radioactive decay. Moreover, beta particles can also have a positive charge and are much faster, given that they're expelled with high velocity from the nucleus.

Step by step solution

Identify atomic electrons

Atomic electrons are negatively charged particles that exist in the electron cloud around the nucleus of an atom. They play a crucial role in chemical reactions and the formation of bonds between atoms because they occupy the outer shells of an atom and are involved in the transfer or sharing of electrons.

Identify beta particles

Beta particles are high-energy and high-speed electrons or positrons that are emitted from an unstable radioactive nucleus during a process called beta decay. Unlike atomic electrons, beta particles can be either negatively or positively charged. Negative beta particles are identical to atomic electrons, while positive beta particles, known as positrons, are antiparticles of electrons.

Compare atomic electrons and beta particles

Both atomic electrons and beta particles share some similarities - they have the same mass, for example. Also, negative beta particles and atomic electrons both carry a negative charge. However, a key difference lies in the fact that atomic electrons reside in the electron cloud around the atomic nucleus, whereas beta particles are emitted from the atomic nucleus. Additionally, beta particles can be positively charged, which is not possible for atomic electrons. Beta particles are expelled from the nucleus with high velocity which atomic electrons do not possess.

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Describe some of the similarities and differ- ences between atomic electrons and beta particles.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Identify atomic electrons

Identify beta particles

Compare atomic electrons and beta particles

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