Beta particle (source code)

= Beta particle
{title2=$\beta^-,\ \beta^+$}
{wiki}

A <beta particle> is an <electron> or <Positron> emitted in <beta decay>. It has the same intrinsic properties as an <electron> or <Positron> produced by another process; the name identifies its origin rather than a new particle species.

Unlike a specified two-body alpha transition, ordinary beta emission shares available <energy> with a <neutrino> and daughter recoil. The emitted beta particles therefore have a continuous range of <kinetic energies>. In an applied <magnetic field>, <electrons> and positrons curve in opposite senses for the same incident direction. Detector response, <energy> loss in the sample and collection geometry modify the measured distribution.