Beetasäteily

Beetasäteily, also known as beta radiation, is a type of ionizing radiation consisting of fast-moving electrons or positrons. These particles are emitted from the nucleus of an atom during a process called beta decay. Beta decay occurs when a neutron in an unstable nucleus transforms into a proton, an electron, and an antineutrino, or when a proton transforms into a neutron, a positron, and a neutrino. The emitted electron or positron is the beta particle.

Beta particles are more penetrating than alpha particles but less so than gamma rays. They can travel a few millimeters through solid materials like aluminum or flesh. While beta radiation can penetrate skin and cause damage, it is generally stopped by a few millimeters of a dense material. The energy of beta particles varies depending on the specific radioactive isotope undergoing decay.

In terms of health effects, beta radiation can cause skin burns and damage to tissues if exposure levels are high. However, it is generally not considered an internal hazard unless the beta-emitting substance is ingested or inhaled. Applications of beta radiation include medical imaging, sterilization of equipment, and certain industrial processes such as thickness gauging. Common beta-emitting isotopes include Strontium-90 and Carbon-14.