Editing Beta particle (section)

{{short description|Ionizing radiation}}{{More citations needed|date=September 2024}}[[File:Alfa beta gamma radiation.svg|300px|thumb|[[Alpha particle|Alpha radiation]] consists of [[helium]] nuclei and is readily stopped by a sheet of paper. [[Electron|Beta radiation]], consisting of [[electrons]] or [[positron]]s, is stopped by a thin aluminum plate, but [[Gamma ray|gamma radiation]] requires shielding by dense material such as lead or concrete.<ref name=NRC_Radiation>{{cite web |url=https://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/radiation/health-effects/radiation-basics.html |title=Radiation Basics |date=2017-10-02 |publisher=United States Nuclear Regulatory Com}}</ref>]]

A '''beta particle''', also called '''beta ray''' or '''beta radiation''' (symbol '''β'''), is a high-energy, high-speed [[electron]] or [[positron]] emitted by the [[radioactive decay]] of an [[atomic nucleus]], known as [[beta decay]]. There are two forms of beta decay, β<sup>−</sup> decay and β<sup>+</sup> decay, which produce electrons and positrons, respectively.<ref>{{cite web |title=Beta Decay |url=http://www.lbl.gov/abc/wallchart/chapters/03/2.html |work=Nuclear Wall Chart |author=Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory |publisher=[[United States Department of Energy]] |date=9 August 2000 |access-date=17 January 2016 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303195332/http://www2.lbl.gov/abc/wallchart/chapters/03/2.html |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Beta particles with an energy of 0.5 MeV have a range of about one metre in the air; the distance is dependent on the particle's energy and the air's [[density]] and composition.

Beta particles are a type of [[ionizing radiation]], and for [[radiation protection]] purposes, they are regarded as being more ionising than [[gamma ray]]s, but less ionising than [[alpha particle]]s.<!--This is the correct ordering. If you believe otherwise, please cite a reliable source, or discuss on the Talk page.--> The higher the ionising effect, the greater the damage to living tissue, but also the lower the [[Mean free path|penetrating power]] of the radiation through matter.