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    Question

    Which conservation law is violated in nuclear beta decay

    if neutrinos are not considered?
    A Conservation of charge Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    B Conservation of mass Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    C Conservation of energy Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    D Conservation of linear momentum Correct Answer Incorrect Answer

    Solution

    In beta decay, an electron (or positron) is emitted from a nucleus. If no neutrino were emitted, the momentum of the system wouldn’t be conserved. The neutrino carries away missing momentum and energy, ensuring momentum and energy conservation. Hence, without neutrinos, linear momentum conservation is violated.

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