Beta Decay Calculator

Calculate Beta Decay Parameters and Energetics

ChemistryCalculatorHub.info

β⁻ Decay Calculator

Calculate Q-value and properties for β⁻ decay

Results will appear here

β⁺ Decay Calculator

Calculate Q-value and properties for β⁺ decay

Results will appear here

Electron Capture Calculator

Calculate Q-value for electron capture

Results will appear here

Understanding Beta Decay

Types of Beta Decay

Beta decay occurs in three forms:

  • β⁻ decay (neutron → proton)
  • β⁺ decay (proton → neutron)
  • Electron capture

Beta Minus Decay

Key features:

  • Emits electron
  • Emits antineutrino
  • Z increases by 1
  • A remains constant

Beta Plus Decay

Characteristics:

  • Emits positron
  • Emits neutrino
  • Z decreases by 1
  • Requires energy input

Electron Capture

Process details:

  • Captures orbital electron
  • Emits neutrino
  • X-ray emission
  • Atomic reorganization

Applications

Beta decay is used in:

  • Nuclear medicine
  • Radiometric dating
  • Industrial processes
  • Research

Essential Beta Decay Formulas

β⁻ Decay Q-Value

Q = (Mp - Md)c²

β⁺ Decay Q-Value

Q = (Mp - Md - 2me)c²

Electron Capture Q-Value

Q = (Mp - Md - BE)c²