Beta decay
The key idea
Beta decay changes the proton-neutron balance of a nucleus through the weak interaction. In beta-minus decay a neutron becomes a proton while an electron and an antineutrino are emitted.
Why it matters
Beta processes explain why a nucleus can change element without losing four nucleons as in alpha decay.
A picture to remember
Beta processes explain why a nucleus can change element without losing four nucleons as in alpha decay.