What is Beta: Definition and 403 Discussions

Beta (UK: , US: ; uppercase Β, lowercase β, or cursive ϐ; Ancient Greek: βῆτα, romanized: bē̂ta or Greek: βήτα, romanized: víta) is the second letter of the Greek alphabet. In the system of Greek numerals it has a value of 2. In Ancient Greek, beta represented the voiced bilabial plosive /b/. In Modern Greek, it represents the voiced labiodental fricative /v/ (while /b/ in foreign words is instead commonly transcribed as μπ). Letters that arose from beta include the Roman letter ⟨B⟩ and the Cyrillic letters ⟨Б⟩ and ⟨В⟩.

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  1. amyy

    Why does 3H beta-decay to 3He?

    Homework Statement 3H has more tightly bound than 3He. Why is it, then, that 3H beta-decays to 3He? Homework Equations I also wonder what is the physical meaning of the value mass excess Δ(Z,A)≡[M(Z,A)-A]c2, or it is just for the convenience of calculations. The Attempt at a Solution B/A of...
  2. M

    How can beta decay have energy of 3-4 MeV

    First of all let me tell that I am a high school student and I have no background in particle physics. If we apply the Heisenberg's uncertainty principle to an electron confined in the nucleus it tells us that the energy of the electron must be something like 3.8X10^8eV .. but in a beta decay...
  3. B

    What properties do alpha helices and beta sheets impart to polypeptides?

    Still working on steric clashes of amino acid functional groups. Can anyone explain the properties that either the alpha helix or the beta sheet impart to a polypeptide. Ok, so they are configurations within a complex molecule that provide stability to the structure, but do they impart any...
  4. X

    Disintegration Energy of Beta Plus Decay

    Homework Statement The radionuclide 11C decays according to 116C → 115B + e+ + v Show that the disintegration energy is given by Q = (mC - mB - 2me) c2 Homework Equations Q = (mi - mf) c2 The Attempt at a Solution [/B] Q= (mC - mB - me) c2 Im probably missing something obvious but I can't...
  5. J

    B Is Decoherence Possible Without Collapse?

    Beta decay, quantum fluctuations, even random vacuum polarizations are all manifestation of collapse, isn't it? The arguments being that in pure unitary wave function, there will be no phase randomization of any kind. Do you consider beta decay as example of decoherence? For decoherence to...
  6. S

    Beta function of electroweak theory

    Hi everyone, I have another (probably too) simple question for particle physicists on this forum, but I often realize that my understanding of QFT is still rather poor. Do you know where I can find the electroweak beta function explicitly written down (at one-loop, of course)? I would like to...
  7. D

    How to design discrete circuits for transistor beta changes?

    In my circuits/active devices course we had to make amplifier designs with various type of transistors (BJT, JFET, MOSFET). In each design the transistor beta parameter played an important role in deciding which resistors to use in the final amplifier circuit. This beta parameter changes widely...
  8. J

    What Causes Beta Decay and the Role of the Weak Nuclear Force?

    I am familiar with the proton:neutron ratio and stability but what about this instability actually causes a quark to emit a boson and change flavour? And what does this have to do with the weak nuclear force? Thanks
  9. N

    What Kind of Radiation Does the GM Counter Detect?

    Homework Statement There is a radioactive source plaed in front of the GM counter to predict the kind of radiation emmitted by the source. 1 : When the GM counter moves 5 cm away from the source, the count rate drops significantly. 2 : When a 5mm aluminium sheet is inserted...
  10. M

    Beta Particle Energy: Why E_max > Q? Energy Conservation Explained

    Why is the Emax of beta energies larger than Q? This should violate energy conservation, unless the differences in binding energies themselves are only averaged values. What I'm actually asking, is why is Q = E_average of emitted particles? At least, according to this page...
  11. J

    How easy is it to ionize Nitrogen or oxygen with beta rays?

    Hello, over the past few days I've been looking at glowing ionization tubes on YouTube. there seems to be this innate correlation and association between ionization chambers and noble gasses, like xenon, argon and neon. i was wondering is it possible for oxygen or nitrogen to glow like them ...
  12. VoteSaxon

    Special Relativity derivations ....

    Homework Statement Using the special relativity formulae p = mv / [1 - (v/c)2] E2 = p2c2 + m2c4 derive linear relations between: (i) momentum and mass; (ii) energy and mass; (iii) energy and momentum, which involve only c, c2, β = v/c, and γ (= 1/sqrt(1 - β2)) The attempt at a solution I am...
  13. C

    Simulink vector space alpha beta transformation

    << Thread moved to the HH forums from the technical engineering forums, so no HH Template is shown >> The model: The goal: 1. Create a three phase voltage 2. Do a alpha-beta transformation 3. Do a Cartesian to Polar transformation 4 Check the output angle The expected result: Since the space...
  14. F

    Energy Conservation: Beta Ray & Neutrino

    Energy of beta ray and neutrino is equal Q=M(mass) of nucleous before-M of nucleous after,so it about 1Mev.But the mass of W boson is 80 MeV,so the least energy of electron and neutrino must be 80 MeV. Why there is the difference?Why does it seem that energy were not conservation?
  15. karakele

    Concerns about double beta decay plus/double electron capture

    Hello fellas! Ok, so we have the isotope Nickel-58 which can decay (still theoritically) to Iron-58 through double beta decay plus (bb+), my question is... imagine this decay is actually demonstrated (just figure it), so the transmutation into the iron isotope actually works... would the ejected...
  16. S

    Beta - and Beta + Decay (Q-Value)

    Homework Statement 1) Calculate the Q-value for the electron emission beta decay of Co-60 * 2) Calculate the Q-value for the positron emission beta decay of Mg-23 * * (both correct to 6 significant figures) Atomic Masses (u) electron = 0.0005485803 Co-60 = 59.9338222 Ni-60 = 59.9307906...
  17. R

    Fermi/Coulomb correction factor for beta decay

    Hi all, Fermi introduced a multiplicative correction factor in order to correct for the effect of the Coulomb field on the resulting energy distribution of ejected beta particles (i.e., either electrons or positrons) following a beta decay reaction. The result is that positrons are accelerated...
  18. WannabeNewton

    Current conservation beta function

    In section 19.5 of Peskin it is stated that if a scale transformation ##\varphi \rightarrow e^{-\sigma}\varphi(xe^{-\sigma})## is a symmetry of a theory then there is a current ##D^{\mu} = \Theta^{\mu\nu}x_{\nu}## (here ##\Theta^{\mu\nu}## is the Bellifante energy-momentum tensor) with...
  19. C

    Why is the central electrode in a G.M. tube positive?

    Why is the central electrode in a Geiger-Muller tube always positive (and not negative)? Many thanks!
  20. Matt atkinson

    Maximum Positron Energy in Proton Fusion and Beta + Decay

    Homework Statement Consider; p+p \rightarrow d + e^+ + \nu_e Assume the binding energy of deuteron is 2.2MeV, calculate the maximum energy that the positron can have. Homework Equations m_p=938.28MeV/c^2 m_n=939.566MeV/c^2 m_d=1875.6MeV/c^2 The Attempt at a Solution Assuming the neutrino was...
  21. R

    Geiger counters and activity

    I'm doing high school physics and if a question says something like: A radioactive source gives count rate of 110 counts per second Can you say that the ACTIVITY is also 110 bq? My second question is how would a gieger counter detect gamma radiation? It is the least ionising of all three...
  22. S

    Energy Balance of Beta+ Decay of $^{22}_{11}Na$

    Homework Statement If we have a beta + deca: $$^{22}_{11}Na(3^+)\rightarrow ^{22}_{10}Ne(2^+)+ e^+ +\nu $$ with $t_{1/2}=2.6 years$, what is the energy balance at this decay, if you know that $^{22}_{10}Ne(2^+)$ is an excited state of $^{22}_{10}Ne$ with $1.25 MeV$ larger energy. Homework...
  23. R

    Beta+ decay or electron capture?

    Homework Statement Homework Equations See below. The Attempt at a Solution We have β+ decay ##X_{Z}^{A} \rightarrow Y_{Z-1}^{A}+ e^{+}+\upsilon _{e}## which leads to the mass condition ##M(A,Z)>m(A,Z-1)+2m_{e}##. We have electron capture ##X_{Z}^{A} + e^{-}\rightarrow Y_{Z-1}^{A}+ \upsilon...
  24. J

    Beta Function used in Beta distribution

    Could anyone explain in laymen terms what really the beta function does as said in Beta Function:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta_function .I know that gamma function is used to find the factorial of real numbers but when it comes to beta function I can't get what really beta function does.I...
  25. R

    Quick question on the mass condition for beta decay

    For β- we have: ##M(A,Z)>M(A,Z+1) + m_{e} - m_{e}## An electron is removed from the atom and therefore we need to take that away from the M(A,Z+1) term But for β+ we have been given: ##M(A,Z)>M(A,Z+1) + m_{e} + m_{e}## What is this saying? A positron is emitted, therefore shouldn't we minus...
  26. M

    Beta Particles -- range of energies?

    Hello, I was wondering if someone could explain to me what does it meant that a beta particle has a range of energies ? Thanks
  27. M

    Question Beta Distribution ch.6 prob 48 in 7th edition Ross

    Homework Statement Consider a sample of size 5 from a uniform random distribution (0,1) . Computer the probability that the median is in the interval (1/4, 3/4). [/B]Homework Equations I guess... The Pdf of beta is and median is...I'm not sure...I would guess 1/2?[/B]The Attempt at a...
  28. U

    Fermi Golden Rule - Beta Decay

    We consider the following beta decay: ^A_ZX \rightarrow ^A_{Z+1} Y + e^{-} + \nu_e The Fermi golden rule is given by: \Gamma = \frac{2\pi}{\hbar} |A_{fi}|^2 \frac{dN}{dE_f} Reaction amplitude is given by ##A_{fi} = G_F M_{nucl} ## while density of states is given by ##dN = \frac{4 \pi...
  29. A

    Strong force and beta function

    I heard that one of Euler's Beta/Gamma function identities models the strong force. I was just wondering how it did this. (This might be a stupid question) How do we measure the strong force, and how is it a function of two variables?
  30. Matt atkinson

    Beta+ meson, decay - Relativistic kinematics

    Homework Statement The ##B^+## meson decays through the weak interaction. One of its decay channels is . If a ##B^+## is traveling with a total energy of 9.90 GeV, calculate the range of possible energies the produced may have. (i.e. determine the minimum and maximum values of its energy.)...
  31. H

    Calculating Q-Value for given Beta- decay

    Hello, I've recently started studying Nuclear physics and would appreciate help from someone who could clarify my doubt. Given Problem: 19O -> 19F + e + v Calculate the Q-value in the given decay using following data: Atomic masses: 19O 19.003576u 19F 18.998403u The problem that I'm having...
  32. J

    What Causes the Flavor Change in Beta Minus Decay?

    Hi, I'm just trying to get my head around beta decay and would appreciate it if someone could correct me if I'm wrong. Beta minus decay involves the transformation of a neutron into a proton, electron and electron antineutrino. This is all mediated by the weak nuclear force and involves W and Z...
  33. K

    Answer Gold Beta & Alpha Decay Questions

    Homework Statement Use the periodic table to find the daughter nucleus after a gold nucleus (Au) undergoes beta decay. What would be the result if the gold nucleus had undergone alpha decay instead? Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Beta Decay: A=196.96655 Z=80 Au Alpha Decay...
  34. B

    Beta Distribution: Find Expected Value of X_(1)

    Homework Statement If ##X_1,..,X_n## is a random sample and has a density ##f_X(x)=6x(1-x)## for ##0<x<1##. Let ##X_{(1)}=\min(X_1,..,X_n)##. Find the ##E(X_{(1)})## (Expected Value)? Homework Equations There is an uploaded picture of the pdf I used. The Attempt at a Solution "I've been...
  35. F

    Beta Decay: Unstable Nuclei & Why It Occurs

    I've started studying physics at a basic level and I've ready that beta decay takes place when the number of neutrons exceed the number of protons in a nucleus. Why does this excess number of neutrons compared to protons make the nucleus unstable? Also, what does an unstable nucleus mean?
  36. G

    Mass Loss in Beta Decay: A_(z+1) Y vs Physics Fact

    Homework Statement from the physics fact in the photo, i know that the daughter nucleus is a positive ion... but , referring to the part 2 , finding the mass loss in beta decay in terms of atomic mass , it says that A_(z+1) Y has extra one orbitting electron comapred to the parent nucleus. this...
  37. M

    Alpha and beta rays: are they acting as wave?

    Hi everyone I have a question and that question is" are alpha and beta and also gamma rays behavior is similar to a wave ?" For example if we set up an experiment as same as Young's interference experiment, are these rays acting as same as light in this experiment. Thanks
  38. P

    Antisymmetrization in Wedge Product: Exploring $$\alpha \Lambda \beta$$

    If I want to take the wedge product of $$\alpha = a_i\theta^i $$ and $$\beta = b_j\theta^j$$ I get after applying antisymmetrization,$$ \alpha \Lambda \beta = \frac{1}{2}(a_ib_j - a_jb_i)\theta^i\theta^j$$ My question is it seems to me that antisymmetrization technique doesn't apply to the...
  39. G

    Beta Minus Decay: A Comparison of Product Nuclei Electron Numbers

    Homework Statement in the first photo of my note , it says that the product nucleus has Z electrons (not Z+1) electrons , whereas for the 2nd part of my note , it says that the atomic masses of the product nucleus( which has A nucelon mumber and Z+1 proton number) , it has one extra orbitting...
  40. C

    Evaluating $$\alpha \longrightarrow \beta + \overline{\beta}$$ Feynman Diagram

    If I have a scalar field $$\alpha$$ and a Dirac particle $$\beta$$ and its anti particle $$\overline{\beta}$$ such that the three couple to give a vertex factor of $$-ik$$ when evaluating the Feynman diagram (where k is an arbitrary constant). How do I evaluate the first order diagram of...
  41. A

    MHB Integration using Beta and Gamma Functions

    Interestingly, I seem to have an integral I have posted before, but I want to take a different approach to it. $\int_{0}^{1} \frac{\ln(1+x)}{1+x^2} \,dx$ The beta function states, $B(x,y) = \int_{0}^{1} {t}^{x-1}({1-t}^{y-1}) \,dx$ So, I was just thinking if there a possible way to compute...
  42. C

    Beta decay and inverse beta decay is different?

    So in beta decay I know a neutron can decay into, proton, electron and antineutrino (Or, neutrino, since they're both the same?) But anyhow, regardless of the neutrino, in neutron stars electron degeneracy doesn't hold and electrons combine with photons to form neutrons. But isn't that...
  43. R

    Explaining Beta Decay: A Guide

    Anyone able to explain Beta decay?
  44. E

    Optimizing Copper Absorber Depth for Beta Spectra Simulation

    Hello, I am interested in computing the optimal depth of a copper absorber for Sr-90 decay electrons. I want to find a way to simulate a beta decay spectrum in C++. Have you got any idea or possible documentation on where I could start?? Thank you!
  45. S

    Understanding W-Boson Decay: Electron & Anti-Neutrino Formation

    How W- boson decay into electron and anti neutrino?
  46. T

    Can a Beta Distribution Model Scores in the Interval [0,1] for Ranked Retrieval?

    I have a set of scored items with the scores in the interval [0,1]. Roughly speaking the distribution of scores is about 50% equal to 0 and then sloping steeply downward all the way toward one or near to one. I want to fit this data to a distribution and use that down the road in some...
  47. DreamWeaver

    MHB Trigonometric Approach to Infinite Series Involving Zeta & Dirichlet Beta

    In certain forms - including the logarithmic - a number of the trigonometric and hyperbolic functions can be used to sum series having Riemann Zeta and Dirichlet Beta functions (in the general series term). In this tutorial, we explore some of these connections, and present a variety of Zeta and...
  48. A

    Calculating Beta Function for Scalar QCD Theory

    Hi all, I am currently trying to calculate the beta function for scalar QCD theory (one loop for general su(n)). I therefore need to calculate the Feynman rules in order to apply them to the one loop diagrams. Unfortunately I am getting very confused with what the Lagrangian for scalar QCD...
  49. D

    Determining the value of beta to make the amplifier stable

    Homework Statement The open loop response A(jw) of particular op-amp is measured and is shown. The top figure shows magnitude plot of A(jw) in dB and the bottom figure shows the phase plot of A(jw). Determine the value of β in order to have a stable feedback amplifier? Homework...
  50. LotusTK

    Homework Question - Beta and Alpha decay

    Hi, i am new here. Thought it would be good to sign up as i have just started hitting the books in preparation for my AS Level exams. So this is my first question. I think i may have done this question correctly, but i was just seeing what other people think as i am not 100% sure about it...
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