Nearby Words
beta decay
beta decay
noun Physics.
a radioactive process in which a beta particle is emitted from the nucleus of an atom, raising the atomic number of the atom by one if the particle is negatively charged, lowering it by one if positively charged.
Origin:
1930–35
1930–35
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Beta decay
is always a great word to know.
So is subatomic. Does it mean:
| pertaining to a process that occurs within an atom; noting a particle contained in an atom, such as electrons, protons, or neutrons |
| a particle having the same mass and spin as an electron but having a positive charge equal in magnitude to that of the electron's negative charge |
Collins
World English Dictionary
| beta decay | |
| —n | |
| beta transformation, Also called: beta process the radioactive transformation of an atomic nucleus accompanying the emission of an electron. It involves unit change of atomic number but none in mass number | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Science Dictionary
| beta decay
A form of radioactive decay caused by the weak nuclear force, in which a beta particle (electron or positron) is emitted. ◇ In beta-minus decay, a neutron in an atomic nucleus decays into a proton, an electron, and an antineutrino. The electron and antineutrino are emitted from the nucleus, while the proton remains. The atomic number of the atom is thereby increased by 1. The decay of Carbon-14 into Nitrogen-14, a phenomenon useful in carbon dating, is an example of beta-minus decay. ◇ In beta-plus decay, a proton in an atomic nucleus decays into a neutron, a positron, and a neutrino. The positron and neutrino are emitted from the nucleus, while the neutron remains. The atomic number of the atom is thereby reduced by 1. The decay of Carbon-10 to Boron-10 is an example of beta-plus decay. See also W boson. |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
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