Discuss the beta decay process with examples.

Explanation

In beta decay, a radioactive nucleus emits either electron or positron.If electron`(e^(-))` is emitted, it is called `beta^(-)` decay and if positron`(e^(+))` is emitted, it is called` beta^(+)` decay. The positron is an anti -particle of an electron whose mass is same as that of electron and charge is opposite to that of electron - that is, +e.Both positron and electron are referred to as beta particles.
`beta^(-)decay :`
In `beta`-decay, the atomic number of the nucleus increases by one but mass number remains the same. This decay is represented by
`""_(Z)^(A)"X" to ""_(Z+1)^(A) "Y" + e^(-) + overline(v)` ....(1).
It implies that the element X becomes Y by giving out an electron and antineutrino`underline(v)`. In otherwords, in each `beta^(-)` decay, one neutron in the nucleus of X is converted into a proton by emittin an electron `(e^(-))` and antineutrino. It is given by
` n to p + e^(-) + overline(v)`
Where p - proton `overline v`-antineutrino. Example : Carbon `(""_(6)^(14)"C")` is converted `(""_(7)^(14)"N")` through ` beta `-decay.
`""_(6)^(14)"C" to ""_(7)^(14)"N" + e^(-) + overline(v)`
`beta^(+)` decay :
In `beta^(+)` decay, the atomic number is decreased by one and the mass number remains the same. This decay is represented by
` ""_(Z)^(A)"X" to ""_(Z-1)^(A) "Y" + e^(+) + v`
It implies that the element X becomes Y by giving out an positron and neutrino (v). In otherwords, for each `beta^(+)` decay, a protonin the nucleus of X is converted into a neutron by emitting a positron `(e^(+))` and a neutrino. It is given by
`p to n + e^(+) + v`
However a single proton (not inside any nucleous) cannot have `beta^(+)` decay due to energyconservation, because neutron mass is larger than proton mass. But a single neutron (not inside any nucleous) can have `beta` decay.
Example : Sodium `(""_(11)^(23)"Na")` is converted into neon `(""_(10)^(22)"Ne")` through `beta^(+)` decay.
`""_(11)^(22)"Na" to ""_(10)^(22)"Ne" + e^(+) + v`.