what is beta particles
Beta radiation, consisting of electrons or positrons, is halted by an aluminum plate. Gamma radiation is damped by lead. Beta particles are high-energy, high-speed electrons or positrons emitted by certain types of radioactive nuclei, such as potassium-40. The beta particles emitted are a form of ionizing radiation also known as beta rays. The production of beta particles is termed beta decay. They are designated by the Greek letter beta (Î²). There are two forms of beta decay, Î² â and Î² + , which respectively give rise to the electron and the positron.