Beta Decay Flashcards

All 5 cards in this deck

Describe the process of beta-minus ($\beta^-$) decay inside the nucleus.

A neutron becomes a proton plus an electron, and the electron is emitted.

Describe the process of beta-plus ($\beta^+$) decay inside the nucleus.

A proton becomes a neutron plus a positron, and the positron is emitted.

True or false? The electron emitted in beta-minus decay comes from the atom's electron shells.

False. It is created in the nucleus when a neutron changes into a proton.

Which type of beta decay turns a proton into a neutron?

Beta-plus ($\beta^+$) decay, which emits a positron.

True or false? In beta decay the number of particles in the nucleus stays the same.

True. One nucleon changes type, so the mass number is unchanged.