What happens to the beta particle when stopped
When a beta particle (either an electron or a positron) is stopped, it undergoes a process called beta decay.
Beta decay occurs when an unstable atomic nucleus emits a beta particle. The emitted beta particle carries away energy, kinetic energy, and momentum from the nucleus.
When a beta particle is moving, it has a certain amount of kinetic energy. As it interacts with matter, it loses this energy through a process called ionization. It collides with atoms or molecules in the material, transferring some of its kinetic energy to them. These collisions can result in the ionization or excitation of the atoms in the material.
As the beta particle loses energy, it slows down and eventually comes to rest. When it stops, it no longer has any kinetic energy. At this point, it can either become captured by an atom in the material or interact with the atomic nucleus or electrons in the material through various interactions, such as scattering or recombination.
Captured beta particles become part of the atomic structure, occupying an outer electron shell and contributing to the overall atomic behavior. In some cases, if the beta particle is a positron, it can interact with an electron, leading to their annihilation and the production of gamma rays.
In summary, when a beta particle is stopped, it loses kinetic energy through ionization and eventually comes to rest. Its behavior after stopping depends on the specific interaction it has with the material, such as being captured by an atom or undergoing annihilation.