A charged particle moving in the magnetic field created by an external magnet experiences a force that is perpendicular to both the particle's velocity $\vec{v}$ and the direction of the magnetic field $\vec{B}$ in the sense indicated by your right thumb if your right index finger points in the direction of $\vec{v}$ and your adjacent finger points in the direction of $\vec{B}$. (The magnetic field $\vec{B}$, in turn, points away from the external magnet's north pole and toward its south pole.) A certain radioactive substance emits quantons that, when placed in a magnetic field directed away from the observer, bend to the right side of their direction of travel. These nuclei are decaying via which kind of process?
A) An alpha decay process}
B) A beta decay process}
C) A gamma decay process
D) There is not enough information to specify.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The deflection of particles to the right when placed in a magnetic field directed away from the observer indicates that the particles are positively charged, as per the right-hand rule. Beta decay includes the emission of electrons (beta-minus decay) or positrons (beta-plus decay). The description matches beta-plus decay, where positrons (positively charged) are emitted. Alpha and gamma decays do not involve charged particles moving in such a manner in a magnetic field; alpha particles are positively charged but would not specifically indicate this type of decay without more information, and gamma decay involves neutral photons.

A Charged Particle Moving in the Magnetic Field Created by an External