A beta particle is a high-energy, high-speed electron or positron that is emitted during the radioactive decay of an atomic nucleus. In the context of GCSE Physics, beta particles are important because they represent one type of radioactive emission, alongside alpha particles and gamma rays.
When a nucleus undergoes beta decay, a neutron is transformed into a proton while emitting a beta particle and an antineutrino or neutrino. This process results in an increase in the atomic number of the element, changing it into a different element.
Beta particles have a moderate penetrating power, meaning they can pass through paper but are typically stopped by a few millimetres of aluminium. Understanding beta particles helps students grasp the fundamental concepts of nuclear reactions and radiation.
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