Читать книгу Encyclopedia of Renewable Energy - James Speight G., James G. Speight - Страница 139

A beta particle is emitted from the nucleus of a radioactive atom with a wide range of energies up to some maximum value. When a beta particle is emitted that is below the maximum value, the neutrino carries away the rest of the energy.

Like the alpha particles, beta particles, like alpha particles, lose energy by ionization and excitation, but because of their small mass (1/7,300 of an alpha particle) and lower charge (1/2 of that of an alpha particle), the interactions take place at less frequent intervals. Therefore, the beta particles do not produce as many ion pairs per centimeter of path as alpha particles, and thus, have a greater range in matter which depends on the energy of the particle and the composition of the material.

See also: Alpha Decay, Alpha Particle, Nuclear Energy.