What are the steps of radioactive decay through which a beta particle is released?

Answer 1

Beta decay is a type of radioactive decay that comes in two types. The beta plus decay and beta minus decay can be described by use of an equation that places an unstable atom on one side and the products of the beta decay on the other. The beta minus decay of carbon-14 is just a single example of this equation, and here it is: 614C => 714N + e- + ve To learn more about beta decay, use the link below to the related question, "What is beta decay?"

Answer 2

The only time when an atom becomes radioactive, is when the nucleus is unstable. So the large amount of protons in an atom would cause this radiation because the repulsion force is high. We call this force, the strong force. As the number of protons increases, the nucleus becomes more unstable. So, the atom releases either a Gamma, Beta, or Alpha particle, known as radiation. An alpha particle is released with two protons and two nuetrons. A beta particle is released when a proton transmutates into a nuetron and releases an electron, gamma waves and a nuetrino. This happens when a quark decays into another quark. Gamma radiation occurs when a beta radiation occurs. It's in a form of a wave and has the highest penetrating power. When an atom releases radiation, it becomes stable and becomes a different element. Uranium is more unique. It can undergo fission and release two nuetrons causing a chain reaction. When it undergoes fission, it splits into two new stable nuclei. Only U-235 can undergo fission.

Answer 3

In Beta- decay, a neutron is converted into a proton, and an electron and electron anti-neutrino are emitted. The Atomic Number goes up by one, and the Atomic Mass Number stays the same. For instance, 6C14 becomes 7N14 plus one electron and one electron anti-neutrino.

In Beta+ decay, a proton is converted into a neutron, and a positron and electron neutrino is emitted. The Atomic Number goes down by one, and the Atomic Mass Number stays the same. For instance, 6C11 becomes 5B11 plus one positron and one electron neutrino.

Isotopes that decay by Beta+ decay also tend to decay by Electron Capture, a process where an inner K shell electron is absorbed by the nucleus, changing a proton into a neutron and emitting a neutrino. The isotope conversion process would be the same as for Beta+, above.

In Alpha decay, a Helium nucleus (two protons and two neutrons) are emitted. The Atomic Number goes down by two, and the Atomic Mass Number goes down by four. For instance, 92U238 becomes 90Th234 plus one Helium nucleus.

In each of these decay schemes, the atom is often left in an excited state, because the nucleus or the electron cloud has been disturbed. Often, immediately (about 10-12 s) following an alpha or beta decay sequence, the atom comes down from its excited state. This is accompanied by release of a photon, called gamma radiation. in the case of the nucleus, or an x-ray, in the case of the electron cloud. Sometimes, the subsequent gamma is delayed in what we call the meta-stable forms of the excited atom.

Last, in Neutron decay, certain nuclei can spontaneously fission into two other nuclei, releasing neutrons and energy. They can also do it for cause, by the destabilization that occurs when the nucleus absorbs another neutron. This is the basis for nuclear chain fission used in nuclear power plants and atomic bombs.

Answer 4

Yes, but not all radioisotopes produce beta particles (or beta radiation), some of them emit also gamma radiation. The most common radioisotopes used in Biology (including biochemistry and molecular biology) are 3H, 14C, 22Na, 32P, 35S, and 45Ca.

Answer 5

thesteps to radioactive decay through wich a beta particel is released

Answer 6

Sometimes - it depends on the element decaying.