When a neutron decays, a proton and an electron are observed. When the electrons emitted from a sample of neutrons are observed, they are found to have different kinetic energies. This was accounted for by
A) introducing a different particle, the neutrino.
B) introducing the effect of gravity on the particles.
C) including the kinetic energies of the neutron and proton.
D) modifying the laws of conservation of momentum and energy.
E) taking into account the uncertainties associated with Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The observation of different kinetic energies of emitted electrons could not be explained by the conservation of momentum and energy alone. A new particle, the neutrino, was proposed to carry away some of the energy and momentum during the decay process, thus accounting for the observed variation in electron energy.

When a Neutron Decays, a Proton and an Electron Are