What is beta decay in nuclear physics?
Beta decay is a type of radioactive decay where an atomic nucleus emits a fast energetic electron or positron to achieve a more stable ratio of protons and neutrons. This process is driven by the weak force, which allows a quark to change its flavor via a virtual W boson. Neither the beta particle nor its associated neutrino exists inside the nucleus beforehand, but both are created during the decay.
What we know
- In beta decay, an atomic nucleus emits a beta particle, which is a fast energetic electron or positron, transforming into an isobar of that nuclide. [2]
- Beta decay is a consequence of the weak force, allowing a quark to change its flavor through a virtual W boson and creating an electron or positron pair. [2]
- Electron capture is sometimes included as a type of beta decay because the basic nuclear process mediated by the weak force is the same. [2] · medium confidence
- Beta particles are ionizing radiation capable of knocking electrons from shells through electrostatic force or collision. [4]
Still open
- Whether neutrinoless double beta decay exists remains unobserved and hypothesized, distinguishing it from ordinary double beta decay.
Where to go next
- a case in pointHow does double beta decay work?
- what followedWhat are beta particles and their properties?
- compared withHow does alpha decay differ from beta decay?
- how it workedWhat role does the weak force play in nuclear physics?
- the bigger pictureWhat is radioactive decay?
- an unexpected connectionHow does natural gas production relate to radioactive decay?Approximately 99% of Earth's helium comes from the alpha decay of underground uranium and thorium deposits, brought to the surface as a natural gas by-product.
Sources
- [1]beta decay (Wikidata Q306786) · CC0 1.0
- [2]Beta decay · CC BY-SA 4.0
- [3]Double beta decay · CC BY-SA 4.0
- [4]Beta particle · CC BY-SA 4.0
- [5]Alpha decay · CC BY-SA 4.0
Your path
- What is the Helladic chronology system?
- What is beta decay in nuclear physics?