What is beta minus decay?

Beta minus decay is a type of radioactive decay where a neutron in the nucleus emits an electron.

During beta minus decay, a neutron in the nucleus of an atom transforms into a proton, emitting an electron and an antineutrino. The electron is emitted from the nucleus and carries away some of the energy released during the decay. The antineutrino is a neutral particle that is difficult to detect, but plays an important role in the conservation of energy and momentum during the decay.

Beta minus decay occurs in nuclei that have too many neutrons relative to protons, and is a way for the nucleus to become more stable. The decay constant for beta minus decay depends on the particular isotope, and can range from fractions of a second to billions of years.

Beta minus decay is used in a variety of applications, including nuclear power and medical imaging. In nuclear power, beta minus decay is used to generate electricity by heating water to produce steam, which drives turbines. In medical imaging, beta minus decay is used in positron emission tomography (PET) scans to create images of the body's internal organs and tissues.

Overall, beta minus decay is an important process in nuclear physics that plays a role in both fundamental research and practical applications.