Modern Physics
Beta Decay
Beta-minus decay: a neutron converts to a proton, emitting an electron and antineutrino. This increases the atomic number by 1 while keeping mass number constant.
Variables
nunitless
Neutron
punitless
Proton
e^-unitless
Electron (beta particle)
\bar{\nu}_eunitless
Electron antineutrino
Derivation
Mediated by the weak nuclear force through W boson exchange.
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Common questions
What is the Beta Decay formula?
Beta Decay is written n →p + e⁻ + bar{ν}ₑ. Beta-minus decay: a neutron converts to a proton, emitting an electron and antineutrino. This increases the atomic number by 1 while keeping mass number constant. It belongs to Modern Physics, under Nuclear Physics.
What are the units in n →p + e⁻ + bar{ν}ₑ?
In SI units, n is neutron (dimensionless); p is proton (dimensionless); e^- is electron (beta particle) (dimensionless); \bar{\nu}_e is electron antineutrino (dimensionless).
How is the Beta Decay formula derived?
Mediated by the weak nuclear force through W boson exchange. The result is n →p + e⁻ + bar{ν}ₑ.