Radioactivity – Beta Decay

Radioactivity is a phenomenon through which energy is produced from the spontaneous reactions of less stable nuclei. They have the characteristics such as the liberation of excess amounts of energy and spontaneous, in nature, first-order reactions. Beta rays are emitted from the nucleus of an unstable element. The beta-decay process involves the transformation of the neutron from proton taking place or vice versa inside the nucleus of unstable elements. These processes support the nucleus to get closer to the optimum ratio of neutron/proton.  

Radioactivity

When an unstable nuclei of a radioactive atom undergoes a random disintegration cycle that forms a stable atomic nucleus, the process is referred to as radioactivity. 

Characteristics 

The following are the characteristics exhibits by any radioactive reactions:

• Enormous amount of energy is liberated during the process. 
• Spontaneous in nature. 
• It is a type of first-order process. 
• Small amount of mass is used to produce energy. 

Since, radioactive reactions are one category of first order reactions, they are characterised by its half-life. There is a huge difference between the amount of energy liberated during exothermic reactions and radioactive reactions, i.e., they are ten lakh times higher than the exothermic reactions. The process of radioactive reaction is not dependent upon any other parameter such as temperature, and pressure, due to its nature. They are nuclear reactions rather than electronic phenomena. 

Regardless of the fact, it can also be negligibly altered by enhancing the proportion of pressure on some radionuclides. Unstable elements in the radioactive reactions are represented by chemical symbols of the elements. 

Curie is the S.I. unit of radioactivity reactions, named after Marie Curie, and it’s determined as the 37 billion integration per second (did/sec) i.e., 3.700 × 1010 disintegrations per second. 

It’s subunits are Pico Curie, microCurie, nano Curie, and milli Curie, and its larger units are Kilo Curie and Mega Curie. Typically, PicoCurie to nanoCurie is used for estimating an extremely low amount of energy work, and in usual energy work, such as nuclear activation analysis studies and radiotracer, microCurie is used. 

Recently, a new unit is also used to measure the radioactive reaction is the Becquerel (1bq=1dis/sec).

Radioactive related reactions are very toxic to the atmosphere and living beings, hence special precautions must be taken to avoid mishaps.

Reasons 

Following are the causes for radioactive reactions; 

• Natural causes 
•  Atomic bomb explosion
• Fusion and fission-related reactions from atomic reactor operations.

Beta particles and beta decaying process

The first time, Enrico Fermi gave the quantitative rate theory of the beta decaying process in 1934, which is the fundamental basis for the modern theory.

It is a type of beta decay transformation of the neutron from the proton that takes place or vice versa inside the nucleus of unstable elements. These processes support the nucleus to get closer to the optimum ratio of neutron/proton.  

In other words, beta rays are emitted from the nucleus of unstable elements in this process. Throughout this process, the proton of the atom transforms into a neutron and vice versa. If the proton is transformed into a neutron, it is referred to as β+ decay. Likewise, when the neutron is converted into a proton, it is referred to as β- decay. These particles are utilised to cure various health-related issues like eye and bone cancer and are also used as tracers. For example, beta decay of the carbon atoms. In this, the neutron of Carbon is converted into a proton, an electron emitted as a beta particle.

Different types of Beta decay process

There are two types of beta decay, beta minus ( beta–) and beta plus ( beta).

Beta-minus decay: In this, the proton is produced from the neutron, leading to an increase in the atomic number of the atom. For conserving the charge, an electron and an antineutrino are produced. The atomic configuration for this is represented below,  

XN→  Z + 1 YAN − 1 + β− + ν e¯  

For example, the Radioactive form of carbon has eight neutrons, and it disintegrates over time. During the carbon decay process, a proton forms, and it also loses an electron and leads to carbon-14. 

Beta-plus decay: In this, the neutron is produced from the proton, leading to a decrease in the atomic number of the atom. There is a loss of proton but gains a neutron. This process also follows the law of conservation, as it produces a positron and a neutrino. The given equation represents the process of beta decay,

XN → YN + 1 + β+ + ve

Generally, the amount of energy in the beta decay is higher than the alpha decay; however, its half-life is shorter than the alpha decay. But that does not show any relationship between the energy liberation and atomic number in the alpha decay process.

Conclusion

The phenomenon of the radioactivity process is very critical for our daily based lives. The process of radioactivity creates many harmful effects. They have the characteristics such as the liberation of excess amounts of energy and spontaneous, in nature, first-order reactions. Beta rays are emitted from the nucleus of an unstable element. The beta-decay process involves the transformation of the neutron from proton, takes place or vice versa inside the nucleus of unstable elements. These processes support the nucleus to get closer to the optimum ratio of neutron/proton.