Beta decay is a radioactive process in which a beta particle (an electron or positron) is emitted from an atomic nucleus. This process alters the number of protons and neutrons within the nucleus, leading to a change in the element.
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There are two types of beta decay: beta-minus ($\beta^-$) and beta-plus ($\beta^+$).
In beta-minus decay, a neutron is converted into a proton, and an electron and antineutrino are emitted.
In beta-plus decay, a proton is converted into a neutron, and a positron and neutrino are emitted.
Beta decay follows the conservation laws of charge, lepton number, and energy.
The emitted beta particles have a continuous spectrum of energies up to a maximum value specific to each isotope.
Review Questions
What happens to the atomic number of an element during beta-minus decay?
Explain the difference between beta-minus and beta-plus decay.
Which conservation laws must be followed during any type of beta decay?
Related terms
Alpha Decay: A type of radioactive decay in which an alpha particle (two protons and two neutrons) is emitted from an atomic nucleus.
Gamma Decay: A type of radioactive decay where an excited nucleus releases energy in the form of gamma rays without changing its number of protons or neutrons.
Neutrino: An elementary particle with very low mass and no electric charge that is produced during certain types of nuclear reactions such as beta decay.