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Glite Dictionary
beta decay

beta decay

1 7.7
A change in an atomic nucleus that makes it emit an electron
  • noun
  • /ˈbeɪtə dɪˈkeɪ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : decaimiento beta
  • In beta decay, a neutron in the nucleus transforms into a proton, emitting a beta particle.
  • double beta decay
  • neutron beta decay
  • beta decay experiment

It'll spontaneously undergo beta decay into a proton and an electron.

Examples

  • It'll spontaneously undergo beta decay into a proton and an electron.

    MIT OpenCourseWare

  • Now what happens in a beta decay like this?

  • His theory of beta decay alone warranted a prize.

    Academic text (2000)

  • To determine the right-hand side of equation 3, theorists turned once again to beta-decay data.

    Academic text (1995)

  • Wolfgang Pauli, in 1930, introduced the idea of a neutrino to account for a certain puzzle in beta decay.

    Academic text (1995)

  • Enrico Fermi's 1934 theory of beta decay formulated the weak interaction in analogy to the electromagnetic interaction.

    Academic text (2004)

  • The process of beta decay is crucial for understanding how certain isotopes release energy.

  • During beta decay, the emission of a beta particle results in a change in the atomic number of the nucleus.

Synonyms

beta radiation
vsbeta decay
  • Specialized
1 6.3

A type of energy made of small fast particles released by radioactive materials

is the nuclear transformation that produces those outgoing particles
beta ray
vsbeta decay
  • Specialized
1 7.5

A kind of radiation made of small fast particles from radioactive atoms

is the nuclear change creating those outward moving particles
electron radiation
vsbeta decay
  • Specialized
6.7

A radioactive material sends out fast electrons during decay

is the nuclear transformation that produces those charged particles

Surface Forms

beta decay singular
beta decays plural

Morphology

beta + decay

A B1 learner who knows 'beta' as the Greek letter and 'decay' as radioactive disintegration will likely infer that 'beta decay' is a particular type or class of decay named 'beta'. However, the precise mechanism (emission of a beta particle) is technical and not directly derivable from the basic constituent meanings, so the relation is only partially predictable.

Etymology

Beta decay is the name for when an atom's center breaks down and throws out a tiny particle called a 'beta' or 'electron'. The word beta (the small particle) and decay (breaking down) give the image of the atom losing a piece, so the phrase means 'a nucleus emitting a beta particle'.