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[[Beta decay]] is quite a bit more subtle and complex than the other two common forms of radioactivity—[[alpha decay]] and gamma decay]]. In alpha decay, nucleons fall out of a nucleus because they are electrically repelled by the other protons and can go into a lower energy state by leaving, while in gamma decay nucleons fall down into a lower energy state (under the rules of quantum mechanics) in a similar manner to the drop in electron energy levels in an atom, albeit at a much more energetic level.
Beta decay, unlike the other two, involves actual transmutation of nucleons, typically among protons, neutrons, and electrons/positrons. This has far-reaching consequences involving electric charge and various conservation laws. This article will attempt to peel back the layers of complexity one at a time.
Beta decay involves the "weak force", unlike alpha decay, which involves the "strong force". Nevertheless, beta decay has some extremely far-reaching consequences for [[radioactivity]], nucleosynthesis, and supernovas.
==References==
<references/>
[[Category:Radioactivity]]
Beta decay, unlike the other two, involves actual transmutation of nucleons, typically among protons, neutrons, and electrons/positrons. This has far-reaching consequences involving electric charge and various conservation laws. This article will attempt to peel back the layers of complexity one at a time.
Beta decay involves the "weak force", unlike alpha decay, which involves the "strong force". Nevertheless, beta decay has some extremely far-reaching consequences for [[radioactivity]], nucleosynthesis, and supernovas.
==References==
<references/>
[[Category:Radioactivity]]