Question

What is another name for a beta minus particle?

Solution

Verified
Answered 7 months ago
Answered 7 months ago
Step 1
1 of 2

In order to give an answer to this question, let's first discuss what is beta particles and how are they created.

A beta particle is a high-energy particle, that is emitted from the radioisotope during radioactive decay, called betta emission, or beta decay.

Beta emission is one of few types of radioactive decay.

In this process, the neutron from nuclei is converted into a proton, this is followed by the emission of the negative beta particle (electron) and antineutrino. This kind of beta decay is called beta minus decay, or simply β\beta^- decay.

The generic equation is:

ZAXZ+1AX+e+νe^A_ZX\rightarrow^A_{Z+1}X+e^-+\overline\nu_e

The other possible process, is when the proton from nuclei is converted into a neutron, this is followed by the emission of the positive beta particle (positron) and neutrino. This kind of beta decay is called beta plus decay, or simply β+\beta^+ decay.

The generic equation is:

ZAXZ1AX+e++νe^A_ZX\rightarrow^A_{Z-1}X+e^++\nu_e

Here: AA stands for the mass number, and ZZ stands for the atomic number.

Therefore, another name for a beta minus particle is the electron.

Create an account to view solutions

Create an account to view solutions

More related questions

1/4

1/7