beta decay
noun
: a radioactive nuclear transformation governed by the weak force in which a nucleon (such as a neutron) changes into a nucleon (such as a proton) of the other type with the emission of either an electron and an antineutrino or a positron and a neutrino
Examples of beta decay in a Sentence
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As a result of this process, known as beta decay, the nucleus also emits an electron or its antimatter partner, the positron.
—
Paul Sutter, Ars Technica, 11 June 2024
In double beta decay, the interaction is doubled: Two neutrons simultaneously decay into two protons.
—Dolly Setton, Discover Magazine, 30 July 2014
Rarely, a proton in the oil will absorb an electron antineutrino to turn into a neutron while ejecting a positron—sort of the reverse of beta decay.
—Byadrian Cho, science.org, 11 Jan. 2023
Wu was the first scientist to confirm — and later refine — Enrico Fermi’s theory of radioactive beta decay.
—Megan Schmidt, Discover Magazine, 8 Mar. 2020
If this is the case, then when double beta decay occurs, two neutrinos would be produced and immediately annihilated, leaving none behind.
—Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 1 July 2022
Over multiple experiments, Pauli’s contemporaries had noticed an accounting error when observing beta decay, a process by which certain radioactive atoms break down.
—Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 15 June 2022
Fermi’s model of beta decay took a vague suggestion by Wolfgang Pauli and turned it into a rigorous mathematical theory, and his work in statistical physics is critical to modern condensed matter physics.
—Chad Orzel, Forbes, 25 June 2021
The basic structure of beta decay is a neutron decays into a proton, electron, and neutrino.
—Don Lincoln, Forbes, 18 May 2021
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Paul Sutter, Ars Technica, 11 June 2024
In double beta decay, the interaction is doubled: Two neutrons simultaneously decay into two protons.
—Dolly Setton, Discover Magazine, 30 July 2014
Rarely, a proton in the oil will absorb an electron antineutrino to turn into a neutron while ejecting a positron—sort of the reverse of beta decay.
—Byadrian Cho, science.org, 11 Jan. 2023
Wu was the first scientist to confirm — and later refine — Enrico Fermi’s theory of radioactive beta decay.
—Megan Schmidt, Discover Magazine, 8 Mar. 2020
If this is the case, then when double beta decay occurs, two neutrinos would be produced and immediately annihilated, leaving none behind.
—Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 1 July 2022
Over multiple experiments, Pauli’s contemporaries had noticed an accounting error when observing beta decay, a process by which certain radioactive atoms break down.
—Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 15 June 2022
Fermi’s model of beta decay took a vague suggestion by Wolfgang Pauli and turned it into a rigorous mathematical theory, and his work in statistical physics is critical to modern condensed matter physics.
—Chad Orzel, Forbes, 25 June 2021
The basic structure of beta decay is a neutron decays into a proton, electron, and neutrino.
—Don Lincoln, Forbes, 18 May 2021
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Cite this Entry
“Beta decay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beta%20decay. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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