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A beta particle, also called beta ray or beta radiation (symbol β), is a high-energy, high-speed electron or positron emitted by the radioactive decay of an atomic nucleus, known as beta decay. There are two forms of beta decay, β − decay and β + decay, which produce electrons and positrons, respectively.
- Characteristics of Beta Radiation
- Beta Decay
- Beta Radiation – Biological Effects
- Shielding of Beta Radiation – Electrons
- Shielding of Beta Radiation – Positrons
Key characteristics of beta radiation are summarized in the following points: 1. Beta particles are energetic electrons. They are relatively light and carry a single negative charge. 2. Their mass is equal to the mass of the orbital electrons with which they are interacting. A much larger fraction of its kinetic energy can be lost in a single inter...
Beta-decay or β decay represents the disintegration of a parent nucleus to a daughter through the emission of the beta particle. If a nucleus emits a beta particle, it loses an electron (or positron). In this case, the mass number of the daughter nucleus remains the same, but the daughter nucleus will form a different element. Beta decay is governe...
For photon and electron radiation, the radiation weighting factor has the value 1 independently of the energy of the radiation, and for alpha radiation, the value 20. For neutron radiation, the value is energy-dependent and amounts to 5 to 20. Beta particles(electrons) are much smaller than alpha particles. They carry a single negative charge. They...
Beta radiation ionizes matter weaker than alpha radiation. On the other hand, the ranges of beta particles are longerand depend strongly on the initial kinetic energy of a particle. Some have enough energy to be of concern regarding external exposure. A 1 MeV beta particle can travel approximately 3.5 meters in the air. Such beta particles can pene...
The coulomb forces that constitute the major mechanism of energy loss for electrons are present for either positive or negative charge on the particle and constitute the major mechanism of energy loss also for positrons. Whatever the interaction involves a repulsive or attractive force between the incident particle and orbital electron (or atomic n...
Nov 13, 2024 · Beta decay is a type of radioactive decay where an unstable atomic nucleus releases a high-energy, fast-moving particle to become more stable. The particle emitted during a beta decay is known as a beta particle, which can be an electron or a positron.
Oct 7, 2024 · beta decay, any of three processes of radioactive disintegration by which some unstable atomic nuclei spontaneously dissipate excess energy and undergo a change of one unit of positive charge without any change in mass number. The three processes are electron emission, positron (positive electron) emission, and electron capture.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- A spectrum of beta particles. In the process of beta decay, either an electron or a positron is emitted. This emission is accompanied by the emission of antineutrino (β- decay) or neutrino (β+ decay), which shares energy and momentum of the decay.
- Nature of Interaction of Beta Radiation with Matter. Summary of types of interactions: Inelastic collisions with atomic electrons (Excitation and Ionization)
- Bremsstrahlung. The bremsstrahlung is electromagnetic radiation produced by the acceleration or deceleration of a charged particle when deflected by magnetic fields (an electron by the magnetic field of particle accelerator) or another charged particle (an electron by an atomic nucleus).
- Cherenkov Radiation. Cherenkov radiation is electromagnetic radiation emitted when a charged particle (such as an electron) moves through a dielectric medium faster than the phase velocity of light in that medium.
Mar 8, 2019 · A beta particle (β) is a high-energy electron or positron shot out due to a radioactive event. Beta rays or beta radiation is a form of ionizing radiation emitted by certain types of radioactive nuclei.
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Aug 19, 2024 · Beta radiation (β) is the transmutation of a neutron into a proton and an electron (followed by the emission of the electron from the atom’s nucleus: ). When an atom emits a β particle, the atom’s mass will not change (because there is no change in the total number of nuclear particles).
