What is the charge of a beta particle?

What is the charge of a beta particle?

• A. +1
• B. 0
• C. -1
• D. +2

Answer: (C)

A beta particle is a high-energy, high-speed electron or positron emitted during radioactive decay. Specifically, when we refer to a beta particle in the context of beta minus decay, it is an electron that carries a charge of -1. This negative charge results from the emission of the electron when a neutron in an unstable nucleus is transformed into a proton. This transformation increases the positive charge of the nucleus due to the addition of a proton while simultaneously emitting the negatively charged electron to maintain charge balance. Therefore, identifying the charge of a beta particle as -1 aligns perfectly with its behavior in decay processes, reinforcing the nature of beta particles in nuclear chemistry.

A beta particle is a high-energy, high-speed electron or positron emitted during radioactive decay. Specifically, when we refer to a beta particle in the context of beta minus decay, it is an electron that carries a charge of -1. This negative charge results from the emission of the electron when a neutron in an unstable nucleus is transformed into a proton. This transformation increases the positive charge of the nucleus due to the addition of a proton while simultaneously emitting the negatively charged electron to maintain charge balance. Therefore, identifying the charge of a beta particle as -1 aligns perfectly with its behavior in decay processes, reinforcing the nature of beta particles in nuclear chemistry.