Beta Decay Definition in Chemistry

Beta decay refers to the spontaneous radioactive decay where a beta particle is produced. There are two types of beta decay where the beta particle is either an electron or a positron. How Beta Decay Works ÃŽ ²- decay occurs when an electron is the beta particle. An atom will ÃŽ ²- decay when a neutron in the nucleus converts to a proton by the following reaction. Here X is the parent atom, Y is the daughter atom, Z is the atomic mass of X, and A is the atomic number of X:ZXA → ZYA1 e- antineutrino ÃŽ ² decay occurs when a positron is the beta particle. An atom will ÃŽ ² decay when a proton in the nucleus converts into a neutron by the following reaction, where X is the parent atom, Y is the daughter atom, Z is the atomic mass of X, A is the atomic number of X:ZXA → ZYA-1 e neutrino In both cases, the atomic mass of the atom remains constant but the elements are transmuted by one atomic number. Practical Examples Cesium-137 decays to Barium-137 by ÃŽ ²- decay.Sodium-22 decays to Neon-22 by ÃŽ ² decay.