Beta Decay
Definition
Beta decay is a type of radioactive decay where a nucleus emits a beta particle (an electron or a positron) and an antineutrino or neutrino
Decay occurs when a nucleus of a element becomes too unstable, this means that the uneven number of protons and neutrons result to a decay of the nucleus
When the nucleus becomes unstable they produce beta particles to make their proton-neutron ratio stable inside the nucleus
Beta Minus Decay
Beta minus decay is the process that explains why beta particles are emitted
Due to the instability of particles the nucleus produces beta particles like positrons and electrons
Beta minus decay is specifically a process where neutrons turn into protons, this happens as the neutrons within the nucleus emit particles like electrons and antineutrinos
Neutron Structure And Decay
This is a structure of a neutron, this structure contains 1 up-quark and 1 down quark in the top section while at the bottom section it contains 1 down-quark
During the process of decay, one down quark changes to up-quarks as energy and color changes occur
Decay Conclusion
The conclusion of decay results to the emission of electrons and neutrinos
What exactly happens inside an atomic nucleus during beta decay?
How does beta decay differ from alpha and gamma decay?
What roles do neutrinos play in beta decay, and why were they proposed?
Why does beta decay change one element into another (transmutation)?
How does beta decay contribute to the natural radioactivity found in Earth’s crust?
keywords
Radioactive decay
Nuclear transmutation
Weak nuclear force
Isotope
Nuclear instability
Half-life
Parent nucleus
Daughter nucleus
Neutron
Proton
Electron emission
Antineutrino (ν̄ₑ)
Neutron-to-proton conversion
Electron (β⁻ particle)
Proton
Neutron
Positron emission