BETA MINUS Meaning and
Definition
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Beta minus (β-) refers to a form of radioactive decay that occurs in certain unstable atomic nuclei. It is a type of beta decay, where a neutron inside the nucleus is converted into a proton, releasing an electron and an antineutrino in the process. This decay occurs when the number of neutrons in an atomic nucleus is greater than the number of protons, resulting in an excess of negative charge.
During beta minus decay, the neutron emits a negatively charged electron, also known as a beta particle, which is symbolized by β-. The electron then carries away the excess negative charge from the nucleus, thus transforming one of the neutrons into a proton. This process leads to a decrease in the number of neutrons and an increase in the number of protons, ultimately resulting in the transformation of one element into another.
The beta minus decay process is an important mechanism in nuclear physics, as it contributes to the understanding of nuclear structure and the stability of isotopes. It is also widely utilized in medical applications, such as radiotherapy and nuclear medicine, for the production of certain isotopes used in diagnostic imaging.
To summarize, beta minus refers to a type of radioactive decay where a neutron within an atomic nucleus is transformed into a proton, emitting a beta particle (electron) and an antineutrino. This process helps explain nuclear structure and stability while finding various practical applications in the field of medicine.
Common Misspellings for BETA MINUS
- veta minus
- neta minus
- heta minus
- geta minus
- bwta minus
- bsta minus
- bdta minus
- brta minus
- b4ta minus
- b3ta minus
- bera minus
- befa minus
- bega minus
- beya minus
- be6a minus
- be5a minus
- betz minus
- bets minus
- betw minus
- betq minus
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