ASNT Industrial Radiography Radiation Safety Practice Test

Which type of emission does a beta particle result from?

1. Alpha decay

2. Gamma decay

3. Beta decay

4. Fission

The correct answer is: Beta decay

A beta particle is a type of radiation that is emitted during a process known as beta decay. This decay involves the transformation of a neutron into a proton within an atomic nucleus, which results in the emission of a beta particle. There are two types of beta decay: beta-minus (where an electron is emitted) and beta-plus (where a positron is emitted). Both processes alter the atomic number of the element, leading to the formation of a new element. Gamma decay, alpha decay, and fission do not involve the emission of beta particles. Gamma decay typically involves the release of gamma rays from the nucleus without changing the number of protons or neutrons. Alpha decay involves the emission of alpha particles, which are composed of two protons and two neutrons. Fission, on the other hand, refers to the splitting of a heavy nucleus into lighter nuclei, accompanied by the release of energy and particles, but does not specifically relate to beta particles. Therefore, the association of beta particles specifically with beta decay is what makes this choice accurate.