Beta Decay
Key Stage 5
Meaning
Beta decay is a type of radioactive decay involving the transformation of a neutron into a proton or vice versa, accompanied by the emission of a beta particle and a neutrino or antineutrino.
About Beta Decay
- In beta-minus (β⁻) decay, a neutron turns into a proton, an electron, and an antineutrino.
- In beta-plus (β⁺) decay, a proton turns into a neutron, a positron, and a neutrino.
- Beta Decay occurs in neutron-rich or proton-rich nuclei.
- The emitted beta particles are electrons or positrons.
- Beta decay changes the atomic number of a nucleus, resulting in the transmutation of elements.
- Beta radiation is less ionizing than alpha radiation but more than gamma radiation.
- Beta decay plays a crucial role in nuclear reactions and radioactive decay processes.