betaaktivitet

Betaaktivitet is a type of radioactive decay where an atomic nucleus emits a beta particle. This particle is essentially a high-energy electron or positron. Beta decay occurs when a neutron in the nucleus transforms into a proton, emitting an electron and an antineutrino, or when a proton transforms into a neutron, emitting a positron and a neutrino. This process changes the atomic number of the element, effectively transforming it into a different element, while the mass number remains unchanged.

The energy of the emitted beta particles is not discrete; it follows a continuous spectrum, which is a direct consequence of the simultaneous emission of the neutrino or antineutrino. Beta decay is a fundamental process in nuclear physics and plays a role in various natural phenomena, including the decay of cosmic rays and the production of energy in stars. It is also utilized in numerous applications, such as in medical imaging (positron emission tomography, PET), industrial gauging, and radiocarbon dating. The half-life of isotopes undergoing beta decay varies widely, from fractions of a second to billions of years.