0 an extremely small piece of matter with a positive or negative electric charge, produced when a radioactive atom is broken down --
1 an extremely small piece of matter with a positive or negative electric charge, produced when an atom is broken down. A beta (+) particle is the same as a positron; a beta (–) particle is an electron. --
A sample of radium metal maintains itself at a higher temperature than its surroundings because of the radiation it emits alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays.
Such contamination presents a hazard because of the radioactive decay of the contaminants, which emit harmful ionising radiation such as alpha particles or beta particles, gamma rays or neutrons.
Beta particles are electrons or positrons and can travel farther than alpha particles in air.
The first beta decays are rapid and may release high energy beta particles or gamma radiation.
Typical particles include alpha particles, beta particles and neutrons, as well as mesons that constitute cosmic rays.
There are special plastic shields that stop beta particles, and air will stop most alpha particles.
A material that spontaneously emits this kind of radiationwhich includes the emission of alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma raysis considered radioactive.
These systems use radioisotopes that produce low energy beta particles or sometimes alpha particles of varying energies.
