Beta particle: Difference between revisions

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|Meaning=(Or β particle.) Physically indistinguishable from the [[electron]] (or [[positron]]) but  usually restricted to products in nuclear reactions (beta decay).
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|Explanation=The term was coined by Ernest Rutherford, who discovered that the ionizing [[radiation]] emitted  by uranium consisted of "at least two distinct types . . . one that is very readily absorbed . . . the  &#x003b1; radiation, and the other of a more penetrative character . . . the &#x003b2; radiation." Kinetic energies  of beta [[particles]] range from tens of thousands to millions of electron volts. Because either electrons  or positrons are emitted in beta decay, the term beta particle, a relic of an era in which its identity  was unknown, is falling into disuse. <br/>''See'' [[alpha particle]], [[gamma ray]].<br/> Boorse, H. A., and L. Motz 1966. The World of the Atom. Vol. I, . 437&ndash;445.  
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== beta particle ==
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<div class="definition"><div class="short_definition">(Or &#x003b2; particle.) Physically indistinguishable from the [[electron]] (or [[positron]]) but  usually restricted to products in nuclear reactions (beta decay).</div><br/> <div class="paragraph">The term was coined by Ernest Rutherford, who discovered that the ionizing [[radiation]] emitted  by uranium consisted of "at least two distinct types . . . one that is very readily absorbed . . . the  &#x003b1; radiation, and the other of a more penetrative character . . . the &#x003b2; radiation." Kinetic energies  of beta [[particles]] range from tens of thousands to millions of electron volts. Because either electrons  or positrons are emitted in beta decay, the term beta particle, a relic of an era in which its identity  was unknown, is falling into disuse. <br/>''See'' [[alpha particle]], [[gamma ray]].</div><br/> </div><div class="reference">Boorse, H. A., and L. Motz 1966. The World of the Atom. Vol. I, . 437&ndash;445. </div><br/>
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Latest revision as of 12:28, 26 March 2024

(Or β particle.) Physically indistinguishable from the electron (or positron) but usually restricted to products in nuclear reactions (beta decay).

The term was coined by Ernest Rutherford, who discovered that the ionizing radiation emitted by uranium consisted of "at least two distinct types . . . one that is very readily absorbed . . . the α radiation, and the other of a more penetrative character . . . the β radiation." Kinetic energies of beta particles range from tens of thousands to millions of electron volts. Because either electrons or positrons are emitted in beta decay, the term beta particle, a relic of an era in which its identity was unknown, is falling into disuse.
See alpha particle, gamma ray.
Boorse, H. A., and L. Motz 1966. The World of the Atom. Vol. I, . 437–445.

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