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beta decay

A Dictionary of Astronomy | 1997 | Copyright

beta decay Radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus spontaneously decays into a daughter nucleus, releasing two subatomic particles. Either a neutron turns into a proton, releasing an electron plus an antineutrino; or a proton turns into a neutron, releasing a positron plus a neutrino. The resultant nucleus has the same mass number as the original nucleus (i.e. the same total number of protons and neutrons), but the atomic number differs by one. The electrons or positrons emitted are known as beta particles.

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beta decay

A Dictionary of Ecology | 2004 | | Copyright

beta decay The radioactive decay of an unstable atom by the emission of a negatively charged beta particle (negatron) from the nucleus, often accompanied by the emission of radiant energy (gamma rays). Beta decay may be regarded as the alteration of a neutron into a proton and an electron. As a result of beta decay the atomic number of the atom is increased by one, while the neutron number is decreased by one (e.g. C¹⁴₆ → N¹⁴₇).

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "beta decay." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "beta decay." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-betadecay.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "beta decay." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-betadecay.html

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beta decay

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences | 1999 | | Copyright

beta decay Some unstable atoms decay by emitting a negatively charged beta particle (negatron) from the nucleus, often accompanied by the emission of radiant energy (gamma rays). Beta decay may be regarded as the alteration of a neutron into a proton and an electron. As a result of beta decay the atomic number of the atom is increased by one, while the neutron number is decreased by one.

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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "beta decay." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "beta decay." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-betadecay.html

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "beta decay." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-betadecay.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Double-beta decay caught in the act. (rare radioactive decay process) Magazine article from: Science News; 9/5/1987
	Search for radiative [beta]-decay of the free neutron. Magazine article from: Journal of Research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology; 7/1/2005
	Radiative neutron [beta]-decay in effective field theory. Magazine article from: Journal of Research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology; 7/1/2005