Question

Define Beta Particles and write a short note on them.

Answer 1

Beta Particles:

1. Beta particles (also known as beta radiation or beta rays, and denoted by the symbol $\beta$ ) are extremely fast positrons or electrons with extremely high levels of energy.
2. Beta particles are typically produced by the radioactive decay of atomic nuclei, and the process by which they are produced is known as beta decay.
3. The two main types of beta decay are $\beta +$decay (which involves positron emission) and $\beta -$decay (which involves the emission of electrons).
4. It is important to note that beta rays are ionizing radiation that can knock electrons out of atomic nuclei (owing to their high energies and high speed or momentum).