2007-02-04 02:31:25 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Many radioactive elements are unstable and decay in a series of steps where each steps has its own half life (time it would take half of an initial mass to complete the step). Beta decay (emission of an energetic electron) is one of the common steps. The link shows the steps for uranium as it decays to stable lead. Many radioactive elements have much shorter decay series.
2007-02-04 02:53:40 · answer #1 · answered by Kes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If a nucleus has too many neutrons the most likely form of decay will be the emission of an electron from the nucleus. These high-energy electrons are known as beta particles (). Independent electrons do not exist in the nucleus. The beta particle is formed by the instant transformation of a neutron into a proton plus an energetic electron which then escapes from the nucleus.
2007-02-04 03:05:56 · answer #2 · answered by monalisa three 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Beta radiation is composed of electrons. The most common method is through radioactivity where a neutron decays into a proton and an electron.
2007-02-04 02:35:17 · answer #3 · answered by Gene 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta_radiation
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2007-02-07 06:05:00 · answer #4 · answered by FutureRadiologist14 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋