Why beta decay occurs

An example of this would be iodine, which concentrates in the thyroid gland and increases the risk of thyroid cancer. Elements that have beta decay can have useful medical applications. Radionuclide therapy RNT or radiotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses beta decay. In this process, lutetium or yttrium is attached to a molecule and ingested. The radioactive atoms then undergo a decay process, releasing beta particles and killing nearby cancer cells.

Additionally, carbon dating relies on the properties of beta decay. To determine the approximate age of artifacts, wood, and animal remains the ratio of carbon to carbon in an object must be determined. Plants are eaten by animals and get carbon as well. When an organic body begins to decay, some of this carbon becomes nitrogen through a beta decay process , and over the years the amount of carbon in the sample is depleted.

To learn more about beta decay please see hyperphysics. This simulation illustrates how radioactive nuclei decay through beta decay, and shows the half-life of these atoms. Fossil Fuels. Nuclear Fuels. Acid Rain. Climate Change. Climate Feedback. Both reactions occur when an atom has either too many protons, or too many neutron in its nucleus. One type of beta decay or the other will move the atom closer to the region of stability in the Chart of Nuclides , essentially bringing the atom closer to the optimal ratio between protons and neutrons.

The Chart of Nuclides represents a two-dimensional graph which shows an atom's number of protons on one axis ,and the number of neutrons on the other. This system provides a great insight into the characteristics of isotopes. The stable atoms are shown in black, while those that undergo beta decay are shown in light blue. Why does beta decay occur?

Chemistry Nuclear Chemistry Beta Decay. Stefan V. A typical. Beta particle The tritium beta-decay process is written as follows: Beta decay This form of radioactive decay was discovered by Sir Ernest Rutherford in , although the neutrino was not observed until the s. Page 7 of 9. Previous Next.