Beta particle emission is a common type of radioactive decay that involves the release of a beta particle from an atomic nucleus. In this process, a neutron in the nucleus transforms into a proton, releasing an electron, known as a beta-minus (\(\beta^-\)) particle. The atomic number of the element increases by one, although the mass number remains unchanged.
Key aspects of beta emission include:
- Increased atomic number due to proton conversion, leading to the formation of a new element.
- The beta particle (\(\beta^-\)) is simply a fast-moving electron ejected from the nucleus.
- This type of decay is characterized by neutron-rich conditions.
In the context of Cesium-136 decay, the emission of a beta particle allows the element to transition into Barium-136. This transmutation involves an increase in the atomic number from 55 to 56, illustrating the impact of beta emission on the atomic structure.