BRAINCAKEBeta Decay
In beta-minus decay, a neutron changes into a proton, β-minus particle(electron) and an antineutrino.
The W- boson decays into a β- particle and an antineutrino.
In beta-plus decay, a proton changes into a neutron, β-plus particle(positron) and a neutrino.
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Key terms in this lesson
- Beta particle
- A fast-moving electron (beta-minus) or positron (beta-plus) emitted from the nucleus when a neutron changes into a proton, or a proton changes into a neutron, during beta decay.
- Positron
- The antiparticle of the electron: it has the same mass as an electron but a positive charge.
- Neutrino
- An uncharged, almost massless lepton that interacts only very weakly with matter and is emitted, along with a beta particle, in beta decay.
More in Particles and Radiation
- Pair Production
- The Discovery of the Positron
- The Electromagnetic Force
- Feynman Diagrams
- The Weak Nuclear Force
- The W Boson
- Electron Capture
- Force Carriers
All 22 lessons in Particles and Radiation · All AQA AS-level Physics topics