Changes

[[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.

[[Image:Bdecay.png|right|thumb|300px|The Feynman diagram for the beta decay of a neutron into a proton, electron, and electron antineutrino via an intermediate heavy W- boson]][[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, 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.