Explain `beta` - decay ?

Explanation

1. It is the phenomenon of emission of an electron from a radioactive nucleus.
2. When a parent nucleus emits a `beta` - particle (i.e., an electron), mass number remains same because mass of electron is negligibly low. However, the loss of unit negative charge is equivalent to a gain of unit positive charge. Therefore, atomic number is increased by one.
3. In general, we can write
`._(Z)X^(A) rarr ._(Z+1)Y^(A)+ . _(-1)e^(0)+Q`
where Q is the energy released in `beta` - decay.
4. The basic nuclear process underlying `beta` - decay is the conversion of neutron to proton.
`n rarr P + bar(e)+bar(v)`
While for `beta+` decay, it is the conversion of proton ino neutron.
`P rarr n+ e^(+)+v`
5. The emiision of electron in `beta`- decay is accompained by the emission of an anti neutrino `bar(v))` In `beta`, decay insted, a neutrino (v) is generated. Neutrons are neutral particles with very small mass compared to electrons. They have only weak interactions with other particles.