-2- - Beta Radiation

Abstract

This chapter focuses on various aspects of beta radiation, which is made up of beta particles. A beta particle has the same mass and charge as an electron. It is emitted from the nucleus of an atom during radioactive decay. It can either be negatively charged (negatrons) or positively charged (positrons). Collision interactions of beta particles are somewhat different from those of alpha particles. A beta particle may collide with an orbital electron or come into close proximity to it and cause the electron to be ejected, thereby resulting in the formation of an ion pair. The probability of beta particle interactions with atomic electrons increases with the density of the absorbing material. The range of beta particles in matter is considerably greater than that of alpha particles of the same energy because of the lower mass, lower charge, and higher velocity of travel of the beta particle in comparison to an alpha particle of equivalent energy. The concepts of stopping power and linear energy transfer (LET) and the calculated values of LET for different radiation types are also discussed in the chapter.