Beta Decay
A radioactive decay process mediated by the weak nuclear force in which a nucleus emits a beta particle (electron or positron) and a neutrino.
Governing formula
β⁻: n → p + e⁻ + ν̄_e; β⁺: p → n + e⁺ + ν_e
SI unit
MeV (Continuous Spectrum)
In depth
Beta-minus (β⁻) decay occurs in neutron-rich nuclei, converting a neutron into a proton, electron, and electron antineutrino. Beta-plus (β⁺) decay converts a proton into a neutron, positron, and electron neutrino in proton-rich nuclei.
Examples in the real world
Carbon-14 undergoing beta-minus decay into stable Nitrogen-14 with a half-life of 5,730 years.