Question

What is beta decay?

Answer 1

It is a type of nuclear decay of course.

Explanation:

Beta-decay is a type of decay that releases beta particles. There are two types of beta-decay, hence two types of beta particles. The basic one without involving antimatter is beta-minus decay.

During beta-minus decay, an atom converts one of its neutrons into a proton, while releasing an antineutrino `(barv)` and a beta-minus particle, or an electron `(e^-)`.

The general equation is:

`""_Z^YX->""_(Z+1)^YX+""_(-1)^0e^-`

The other type is beta-plus decay, and involves antimatter. During beta-plus decay, an atom converts one of its protons into a neutron, while releasing a neutrino `(v)` and a positron `(e^+)` in the process.

The equation is then:

`""_Z^YX->""_(Z-1)^YX+""_1^0e^+`