what is the difference between electrons and beta particles? plz give me the correct answer
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A beta particle IS an electron (or the anti-particle of the electron - the positron). A beta particle is one of the three forms of radiation that is typically emitted by a radioactive (or unstable) element - specifically from the nucleus of the atom. The typical beta particle has relatively high energy - on the order of a MeV - a Million electron Volts (as compared with typical atomic energies of about an eV). Because of it's high energy, it can penetrate through a few inches of material before it is stopped.
The other forms of radiation from radioactive elements are alpha rays (Helium nuclei = 2 protons + 2 neutrons) and gamma rays (high energy photons - higher energy than X-rays, for example). Alpha rays can be easily stopped - by a piece of paper for example. Gamma rays can penetrate significant distances through matter.
Whenever beta rays are emitted by a nucleus,either a neutrino (when positron is emitted) or an antineutrino (when electron is emitted) is also emitted, but neutrinos/antineutrinos don't interact with matter and therefor are safe from a radiation point of view. When an electron is emitted, a neutron in the nucleus is transformed into a proton; when a positron is emitted, a proton is transformed into a neutron. This transformation of a proton or neutron to a neutron or proton will result in a new nucleus in a lower energy state and this difference in energy accounts for the outgoing energy of the beta ray (and neutrino/antineutrino).
The other forms of radiation from radioactive elements are alpha rays (Helium nuclei = 2 protons + 2 neutrons) and gamma rays (high energy photons - higher energy than X-rays, for example). Alpha rays can be easily stopped - by a piece of paper for example. Gamma rays can penetrate significant distances through matter.
Whenever beta rays are emitted by a nucleus,either a neutrino (when positron is emitted) or an antineutrino (when electron is emitted) is also emitted, but neutrinos/antineutrinos don't interact with matter and therefor are safe from a radiation point of view. When an electron is emitted, a neutron in the nucleus is transformed into a proton; when a positron is emitted, a proton is transformed into a neutron. This transformation of a proton or neutron to a neutron or proton will result in a new nucleus in a lower energy state and this difference in energy accounts for the outgoing energy of the beta ray (and neutrino/antineutrino).
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