Betabomlása

Betabomlása refers to the process of beta decay, a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus changes when a beta particle (an electron or a positron) is emitted. There are two main types of beta decay: beta-minus decay and beta-plus decay.

In beta-minus decay, a neutron within the nucleus transforms into a proton, an electron (the beta particle), and an antineutrino. The electron is then ejected from the nucleus. This process increases the atomic number of the atom by one, while the mass number remains the same. For example, carbon-14 undergoes beta-minus decay to become nitrogen-14.

In beta-plus decay, a proton within the nucleus transforms into a neutron, a positron (an antiparticle of the electron), and a neutrino. The positron is then ejected from the nucleus. This process decreases the atomic number of the atom by one, while the mass number remains the same. For example, fluorine-18 undergoes beta-plus decay to become oxygen-18.

Beta decay is a fundamental process in nuclear physics and is responsible for the transmutation of elements. It plays a significant role in various natural phenomena, such as the energy production in stars and the decay of radioactive isotopes used in medical imaging and dating techniques. The rate of beta decay is characterized by the half-life of the isotope.