Beta particles
Beta Particles
Beta particles (pronounced: /ˈbeɪtə ˈpɑːrtɪkəl/), also known as beta rays or beta radiation, are high-energy, high-speed electrons or positrons emitted by certain types of radioactive nuclei such as potassium-40 or carbon-14. The production of beta particles is termed beta decay.
Etymology
The term "beta particle" is derived from the second letter of the Greek alphabet, beta (β). This nomenclature was introduced by Ernest Rutherford in 1899, following the alphabetical order alpha, beta, and gamma, which were assigned in order of their discovery.
Description
Beta particles are a type of ionizing radiation and are capable of penetrating the skin and causing radiation damage. They have a charge of -1e, and their mass is about 1/1836 that of a proton. This makes them a component of atomic structure, specifically, they are identical to the electrons orbiting the nucleus of an atom.
Related Terms
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Beta particles
- Wikipedia's article - Beta particles
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