What particle is a high-energy, high-speed electron with a negative charge?

What particle is a high-energy, high-speed electron with a negative charge?

• A. Neutron
• B. Gamma ray
• C. Beta particle
• D. Alpha particle

Answer: (C)

In radiation types, beta radiation consists of high-energy electrons ejected from the nucleus. A high-energy, high-speed electron with a negative charge is called a beta particle. This occurs, for example, in beta minus decay, where a neutron turns into a proton plus an electron and an antineutrino, and the emitted electron is the beta particle. Beta particles are distinct from neutrons (neutral), gamma rays (photons with no mass or charge), and alpha particles (helium nuclei with +2 charge and greater mass).

In radiation types, beta radiation consists of high-energy electrons ejected from the nucleus. A high-energy, high-speed electron with a negative charge is called a beta particle. This occurs, for example, in beta minus decay, where a neutron turns into a proton plus an electron and an antineutrino, and the emitted electron is the beta particle. Beta particles are distinct from neutrons (neutral), gamma rays (photons with no mass or charge), and alpha particles (helium nuclei with +2 charge and greater mass).