Physical Science
Beta decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an unstable atomic nucleus transforms by emitting a beta particle, which can be either an electron or a positron. This process occurs when a neutron in the nucleus converts into a proton, or vice versa, resulting in a change in the atomic number of the element while the mass number remains unchanged. As a result, beta decay plays a crucial role in the stability of atomic nuclei and contributes to the understanding of nuclear reactions.
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