Alpha, beta, and gamma are all types of ionizing radiation, in that they can kick an electron out of an atom. However, with neutron radiation a neutron is ejected from a radioactive nucleus.

An unstable nucleus can emit a fast-moving electron called a beta (β) particle, to become more stable. Beta radiation is made up of a stream of beta particles emitted from unstable nuclei.

Beta particles carry either one negative charge – an electron, or one single positive charge – a positron. In β‒ decay, an electron is emitted by the nucleus. In β+ decay, a positron is ...

Geiger counters, the instruments used to detect and measure ionizing radiation—in this case, ... A beta particle is an electron or positron that travels at a high energy and high speed.

The weak force is one of the four fundamental forces that govern all matter in the universe. Through the process of beta decay, it plays a crucial role in powering stars and creating elements.

Gamma rays are high-energy photons produced by some of the most violent events in the universe. We explore this powerful radiation in more detail here.

GCSE; CCEA Single Award; Radioactive decay and half-life - CCEA Ionising radiation. Radioactivity was first noticed by French physicist, Henri Becquerel, in 1896, when he observed that some ...