Why does beta radiation take place?
What happens to beta particles after being stopped? Please help me!!!!
Beta radiation occurs when a radioactive nucleus undergoes beta decay. During beta decay, a neutron in the nucleus is converted into a proton, and an electron (called a beta particle) and an antineutrino are emitted from the nucleus. This conversion happens due to the weak nuclear force.
Now, when beta particles are stopped, their behavior depends on their energy. There are two types of beta particles: beta-minus (β-) and beta-plus (β+). Beta-minus particles are electrons, while beta-plus particles are positrons (antielectrons).
If a beta-minus particle (electron) is stopped, it will lose energy rapidly through interactions with atoms in the surrounding material. These interactions cause the beta particle to slow down and eventually come to rest, transferring its energy to the surrounding atoms. The electron may also undergo multiple scattering events, changing its direction.
If a beta-plus particle (positron) is stopped, it will similarly lose energy through interactions with atoms. However, in addition to slowing down, positrons have the ability to annihilate with an electron. When a positron and an electron meet, they annihilate each other, releasing energy in the form of gamma rays.
To summarize, beta particles lose energy and slow down as they interact with atoms in the material they pass through. While beta-minus particles stop and transfer their energy to the surrounding atoms, beta-plus particles can also undergo annihilation with electrons, releasing gamma rays.