Radiation or(and) particles emerge(s) from a radioactive sample. These products from the sample are allowed to pass through a narrow slit and may be considered a beam. The beam is passed between two plates that carry opposite electrical charge. The experimental region contains no magnetic fields. It is observed that the beam is deflected toward the negatively charged plate. Which one of the following statements is the best conclusion for this situation? A)The beam is only $\alpha$ rays. B)The beam is only $\beta$^- rays. C)The beam is only $\gamma$ rays. D)The beam could be either $\alpha$ rays or $\beta$⁺ rays. E)The beam could be $\alpha$ rays, $\beta$⁺ rays, or $\gamma$ rays.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Since the beam is deflected towards the negatively charged plate, it means that the beam is composed of positively charged particles. This rules out option C (which suggests the beam is made up of gamma rays). Among the other options, α particles and β particles are positively charged, but only β particles undergo deflection in opposite direction to the positively charged plate as they have negative charge. Hence, the beam can be either α particles or β particles, or it could be a mixture of both, which is given in option D. Option E is not the best choice as it includes option C, which has already been ruled out based on the observation of deflection towards the negatively charged plate.

Radiation Or(and) Particles Emerge(s) from a Radioactive Sample α\alphaα Rays B)The Beam Is Only

Radiation Or(and) Particles Emerge(s) from a Radioactive Sample $\alpha$ Rays
B)The Beam Is Only