beta radiation

Beta decay is a type of radioactive disintegration where unstable atomic nuclei release excess energy by changing their charge without altering their mass number. This process can occur in three ways: electron emission, positron emission, and electron capture.1

• Electron Emission (β^--decay): A neutron in the nucleus transforms into a proton, emitting an electron and an antineutrino. This increases the atomic number by one while keeping the mass number the same.1
• Positron Emission (β⁺-decay): A proton changes into a neutron, emitting a positron and a neutrino. This decreases the atomic number by one, while the mass number remains constant.1
• Electron Capture: A nuclear proton captures an orbiting electron, forming a neutron and emitting a neutrino. This also reduces the atomic number by one, with no change in mass number.1

Beta particles, the electrons or positrons emitted, travel at speeds close to that of light. Beta radiation can be hazardous to skin and deeper tissues due to its penetrating power. Radioactive isotopes, including those undergoing beta decay, have applications in medicine for diagnosis and cancer treatment.123