Beta decay

There are two types of beta decay: beta plus decay and beta minus decay. Only beta minus decay, however, occurs naturallyBreithaupt J. AQA physics A A2: student’s book. UK: Nelson Thornes. 2008..

Beta minus decay occurs in unstable <a href="Nuclei">nuclei</a> with too many <a href="Neutrons">neutrons</a>. One of the neutrons becomes a <a href="Proton">proton</a> in a process that involves the release of a <a href="Β particle">β^- particle</a> (a high energy <a href="Electron transport chain">electron</a>) and an <a href="Antineutrino">antineutrino</a>. The result is the nuclei of a different <a href="Element">element</a>. This element is located one box to the right of the original element on the <a href="Periodic table">periodic table</a> .

Beta plus decay occurs in unstable nuclei with too many protons. One proton becomes a neutron with the release of a β⁺ particle (a <a href="Positron">positron</a>) and a <a href="Neutrino">neutrino</a>. The result of this decay is the nuclei of a different element, which is located one box to the left of the original element on the periodic table.