The Fact That Most $\alpha$ Emitters Show a Group of Discrete $\alpha$

question 85

Multiple Choice

The fact that most $\alpha$ emitters show a group of discrete $\alpha$ -particle energies,rather than a single energy,can best be explained by which of the following?

• A)\(\alpha\) particles and \(\beta\) particles are emitted from the same unstable nucleus,and because the \(\beta\) particles exhibit discrete energies,so must the \(\alpha\) particles.
• B)The parent can decay by \(\alpha\) emission to any one of a number of allowed energy states of the daughter.
• C)An \(\alpha\)-emitting parent normally decays to many different daughter elements.
• D)\(\alpha\) emission is accompanied by neutrino emission.
• E)Varying amounts of energy are required to tunnel through the nuclear potential well.

---

Definitions:

Zero Profits

A situation where a company's total revenues equal its total costs, meaning it is breaking even and not generating any profit.

P = MC

An equation that states that the price (P) of a product is equal to its marginal cost (MC), indicating the point at which the production of one more unit of a good or service is exactly covered by the sale price, often used in the context of perfect competition markets.

MC > ATC

Denotes a situation in which the marginal cost of producing an additional unit of a good is greater than the average total cost, implying that producing more of the good will increase the per unit cost.

Positive Profits

When a company or business generates earnings that exceed its costs and expenses, resulting in a net gain.