24.5 Beta decay

• Neutrinos are fundamental particles that carry no charge and may have a tiny mass. Neutrinos do no interact much with matter because of their tiny mass and charge.
• Alpha radiation is the emission of helium nuclei, beta radiation is the emission of either electrons or positrons and gamma radiation is the emission of high-energy gamma photons.
• The force responsible for beta decay is weak nuclear, change occurs to the neutrons or protons.
• Beta-minus decay- Turns a neutron into proton an electron and anti-neutrino. In beta-positive decay a proton turns into a neutron a positron and electron neutrino.