beta-decay | has definition Emission of an electron and an antineutrino (or a positron and a neutrino) by a radioactive nucleus by any one of several processes. e.g., the spontaneous β-decay of a free neutron (n → p + e- + ν bar). The A-number is unchanged, but the Z-number is increased (or decreased) by 1. Beta-decay is a so-called weak interaction. Since electrons of all energies (up to a certain maximum) are emitted in β-decay, this process exhibits a continuous spectrum (unlike α-particle emission, which exhibits a line spectrum). | |
has definition The process in which a neutron disintegrates into a proton, an electron, and an antineutrino. The escaping electron is sometimes called a beta ray. (See neutrino; neutron; proton.) | |
has definition The disintegration of an atomic nucleus, in which an electron (which was historically called a beta particle) and an antineutrino are emitted. Since the electron carries away one unit of negative charge, the final nucleus has a charge one greater than the initial nucleus. | |
has definition Spontaneous emission by a heavier element (such as uranium) of negatively charged electrons - beta particles. The result of this radioactive decay is that the original element is very gradually converted into another element. Beta particle emission may be simultaneous with alpha particle decay. | |
is a kind of nuclear decay | |
physical process | has domain physics | |