Question

Write the charge, mass number, and symbol for a beta particle.

Short answer

Charge: -1, Mass number: 0, Symbol: \( \beta^{-} \) or \( e^{-} \)

Step-by-step solution

Charge

Since a beta particle is essentially an electron, its charge is -1.

Mass number

The mass number of a beta particle is effectively 0, as its mass is negligible compared to the mass of other particles like protons and neutrons.

Symbol

The symbol for a beta particle is usually represented as β^− or e^−. So, the charge, mass number, and symbol for a beta particle are as follows: Charge: -1 Mass number: 0 Symbol: β^− or e^−

Key concepts

Nuclear Chemistry

Nuclear chemistry involves the study of the changes that occur within the nuclei of atoms. These changes are the source of nuclear energy and encompass both natural and artificial processes. One such process is radioactivity, which involves the spontaneous emission of particles or energy from an unstable nucleus. Understanding these nuclear transformations is critical, as they can lead to the formation of different elements and isotopes.

Nuclear reactions are distinct from chemical reactions, which involve the electrons surrounding the nucleus and do not change one element into another. Nuclear chemistry has profound implications, from medical applications, such as in cancer radiotherapy, to energy production in nuclear reactors, and even to understanding the age of artifacts through radiocarbon dating.

Radioactive Decay

Radioactive decay is a spontaneous process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation. In this process, the nucleus can release several types of subatomic particles or electromagnetic waves, leading to the transmutation of elements. There are several types of radioactive decay, including alpha and beta decay, as well as gamma radiation.

During beta decay specifically, a beta particle, which is an electron or positron, is emitted by the nucleus. Beta particles carry an electrical charge of -1 (electrons) or +1 (positrons), and this emission occurs because the nucleus has either too many protons or too many neutrons, making it unstable. By emitting a beta particle, the nucleus transforms a neutron into a proton, or vice versa, thus moving towards a more stable state. Beta particles, due to their small mass and charge, can penetrate materials, but not as deeply as alpha particles, and require a different level of protection.

Subatomic Particles

Subatomic particles are the constituents that make up an atom, namely protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons are positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom, while neutrons are neutral particles that also reside in the nucleus. Electrons, with their negative charge, orbit the nucleus and are significant in chemical bonding and electricity.

The understanding of subatomic particles goes beyond these three, however. For instance, a beta particle is a high-energy, high-speed electron or positron emitted by the radioactive decay of an atomic nucleus. While the mass of a beta particle is negligible compared to protons or neutrons, and often considered zero when dealing with nuclear equations, its presence can alter the atomic number of an element during beta decay. Beta particles, as components of ionizing radiation, are also a topic of study for their interaction with living tissue and matter, emphasizing the importance of understanding their behavior in fields like nuclear safety and radiobiology.