20,345
edits
Changes
→About Beta Decay
*In [[Beta-Minus Decay|beta-minus (β⁻) decay]], a [[neutron]] turns into a [[proton]], an [[electron]], and an [[antineutrino]].
*In [[Beta-Plus Decay|beta-plus (β⁺) decay]], a [[proton]] turns into a [[neutron]], a [[positron]], and a [[neutrino]].
*Occurs [[Beta Decay|Beta Decay]] occurs in [[Neutron-rich Nucleus|neutron-rich]] or [[Proton-rich Nucleus|proton-rich]] [[Atomic Nucleus|nuclei]].
*The [[emit]]ted [[Beta Particle|beta particles]] are [[electron]]s or [[positron]]s.
*[[Beta Decay|Beta decay]] changes the [[Atomic Number|atomic number]] of a [[nucleus]], resulting in the [[Transmutation|transmutation]] of [[element]]s.
*[[Beta Radiation|Beta radiation]] is less ionizing than [[Alpha Radiation|alpha radiation]] but more than [[Gamma Radiation|gamma radiation]].
*[[Beta Decay|Beta decay]] plays a crucial role in [[Nuclear Reaction|nuclear reactions]] and [[Radioactive Decay|radioactive decay]] processes.
===Examples===
*[[Carbon-14]] undergoes [[Beta-Minus Decay|β⁻ decay]] to become [[nitrogen]]-14.
*[[Fluorine-18]] undergoes [[Beta-Plus Decay|β⁺ decay]] in [[PET Scan|PET scan]]s.