Beta Particle
A beta particle is a form of ionizing radiation. Beta particles are closely related to other types of radiation such as gamma rays and alpha particles. In more scientific terms, a beta particle is a high-speed electron (and sometimes positron) that has been released from a degenerative radioactive nucleus. Beta particles are low mass and medium-energy and are one of the least-damaging types of radiation. Beta particles do, however, pose a large health risk. They contain the following: carbon-14, tritium, technetium-99, potassium-40, and strontium-90.
What Are Beta Particles?
Beta particles have a higher energy level than the associated electrons that orbit a nucleus. Beta particles are not radioactive. However, they can cause significant damage to humans as they can break chemical and create ions, which causes tissue damage. Beta particles are emitted when there is an excessive amount of neutrons in the atomic nucleus. When the amount of protons outnumbers the neutrons in a single nucleus, the neutrons turn into protons and electrons and are then pushed out from the nucleus at a high rate of speed. After this occurs, the atom’s stability and atomic number increase and becomes a new type of atom.
When Were Beta Particles First Discovered?
The first person to discover beta particles was Henri Becquerel in 1900. He demonstrated that beta particles were the same tying as electrons, which was not the common thought.
How Are Beta Particles Used?
Beta particles are used today to power space probes, lighthouses (in Russia), and in radioisotope thermoelectric generators. Russia’s use of the particles concerns many because the strontium contained in the associated lighthouses is more than the amount contained in the Chernobyl fire. Beta particles are also used in glow in the dark paint and radiotracers. Tritium and phosphorus-32 are used to achieve the desired effect in these cases.
|
|
- Alpha Particles
What are Alpha Particles? An alpha particle is a type of ionizing radiation that is exerted from radioactive materials. Alpha particles consist of two neutrons, two protons, and no electrons, giving it a net positive charge. This positive charge allows the alpha particles to leave their nucleus and bombard any nearby items with radiation. Alpha [...]...
- What Causes Radioactivity?
Radioactivity is caused when an atom, for whatever reason, wants to give away some of its energy. It does this because it wants to shift from an unstable configuration to a more stable configuration. The energy that is released when the atom makes this shift is known as radioactivity. In other words, radioactivity is the [...]...
- How Nuclear Fusion Works
Nuclear Fusion relates to nuclear power. So let us start with the process involved for getting nuclear power. There are, mainly, two processes involved: 1) Nuclear Fission Most of the present day nuclear power plants use this process to get power. This process uses a conventional method of splitting one atom into two. Here high-energy [...]...
- Who Discovered Quantum and Particle Physics?
During the nineteenth century the main theory in physics was still Newtonian Mechanics. With the advances in electricity, magnetism and the studies about light, it was clear that the theory had its limitations. The limitations appeared in the limits of the too small (atomic size) or the too fast (light speed). The study of the [...]...
- How Do Lasers Work?
Lasers have revolutionized the way that many devices and machinery work. From CD players to machines that cut metal, lasers play an important part in many daily activities, right under the noses of unaware consumers. Lasers are used in dental drills, tattoo removal, hair replacement, eye surgery, and there is now even a method of [...]...