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. T

    Beta Decay Q&A: Quarks, W Bosons & More

    In beta decay, is the W boson created by the change of a quark or does it cause the change? Also, I don't fully understand where the W bosons come from or how they are created. If someone could please explain this to me, I'm very confused.
  2. D

    The last Beta and alpha for BJTs

    Thank you for any help that you can offer. Did I answer the questions? Homework Statement What is the minimum value of Beta which would cause a source? current source? https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1.0-9/1959374_10151945917195919_465523700_n.jpg Homework Equations Beta =...
  3. A

    Fast/slow Alfven waves in High/Low Beta Plasma?

    Guys can you please tell me how fast/slow Alfven waves propogate in High/Low Beta Plasma? I need to derive equation cannot find any clue on that! Please be so kind to help me please!:uhh:
  4. J

    Feasibility of a home built beta cell or similar nuclear battery?

    I've read about why it would be nearly impossible for an individual to construct a working home built nuclear reactor (of any variety), but I've never understood why a home built nuclear battery couldn't be constructed (think Henry Moseley's work). The size and power output would be impractical...
  5. soothsayer

    Can lead shielding block beta particles?

    I know lead is a great shield against gamma particles due to its extraordinary density, but I wonder if it can also block beta particles, or is it transparent to them due to being electrically conductive? Thanks ahead of time for your responses!
  6. E

    MHB Tracking Kool-Aid Through Lakes Alpha & Beta

    Suppose the clean water of a stream flows into Lake Alpha, then into Lake Beta, and then further downstream. The in and out flow for each lake is 500 liters per hour. Lake Alpha contains 400 thousand liters of water, and Lake Beta contains 200 thousand liters of water. A truck with 200 kilograms...
  7. S

    Showing Beta Decay (Feynman diagrams?)

    Would someone please tell me how I would show Strontium-90 decay into Yttrium 90(and emitting Beta particles)? Would I need to use a Feynman diagram? Thank you!
  8. X

    Find Beta of <60,-50,40>: Solving the Equation

    Homework Statement Find Beta of <60,-50,40> Homework Equations Cosine β = Ay/lAl The Attempt at a Solution lAl = 87.74964387 So its arccos(-50/87.75) = 124.62 express to 2 significant figures and it keeps telling me I am wrong. I rounded to 125. kept at 124.62.. etc.
  9. A

    Understanding Beta+ Decay: What is 511 KEV?

    I am trying to learn what a Beta+ decay really is, and I don't really understand. For instance, how on Earth can a proton be turned into a neutron, when it has less mass? Someone once told me that in a Beta+ decay 511 kev is being emitted in forms a electromagnetic light. Is it those "511...
  10. D

    Beta plus and Beta minus decay

    Hi i can't understand why is the positron in Feynmans diagram is going towards the w+ boson and not outward, i have a problem understanding why this is happining for beta minus decay also the antielectron neutrino is also going towards the reaction of the w- boson
  11. N

    Beta particle interaction with matter

    A beta particle consists of a fast moving electron emitted from the nucleus of an atom. Beta particles can pass through the palm of a human hand. My question is .. Being a particle how can it pass through the palm of a hand? I still haven't done quantum Physics but I suspect that it has...
  12. S

    Electromagnetism and Beta Decay

    Hello! I am participating in a STEM fair(I am a middle schooler), and my scientific question is : Does the angle of the particle trails increase from beta decay when you introduce an electromagnetic influence? I have been at a loss for finding a helpful site. The ones that I have come...
  13. Q

    Calculating the Age of 1.4g of Charcoal Using Beta Decay

    Homework Statement Suppose you have a 1.4g sample of old charcoal. It produces 0.7 beta decays per minute. How old is the charcoal. Given: 1g of carbon current day has 6.36x1010 atoms of 14C Homework Equations N = Noe-rt N = number of atoms in the sample (current-day) No =...
  14. alyafey22

    MHB An integral related to beta function

    Prove the following \int^1_0 \frac{x^{r-1} (1-x)^{s-1}}{\left(ax+b(1-x)+c \right)^{r+s}}\, dx =\frac{\beta(r,s)}{ (a+c)^{r}(b+c)^{s}}
  15. T

    Help Na-22 Beta calibration

    Hello, I am working on a project that is attempting to use GM tubes to detect low levels of radiation emitted from food or other objects. Currently I am trying to find the efficiency of these tubes to beta and gamma radiation. I wanted to get a pure beta and pure gamma source but I was...
  16. alyafey22

    MHB Exploring the Generalized Beta Function: Integrals and Partial Derivatives

    In this thread we consider the integrals of the form \beta(a,b,c;s) = \int^1_0 \frac{1}{(1-x)^a(s-x)^b x^c}\, dx \,\,\,\,\,\,-1<a,b,c<1 \,\,\,s\geq 0 This is NOT a tutorial , all suggestions are encouraged.
  17. J

    How to derive beta function as pochhammer contour integral?

    Hi, We have: \beta(a,b)=\int_0^1 t^{a-1}(1-t)^{b-1}dt,\quad Re(a)>0, Re(b)>0 and according to Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pochhammer_contour we can write: \left(1-e^{2\pi ia}\right)\left(1-e^{2\pi ib}\right)\beta(a,b)= \int_P t^{a-1}(1-t)^{b-1}dt valid for all a and b where P...
  18. helofrind

    Transisor beta to design transistor circuit

    i was wanting to know if anyone knows how to choose the value of beta when trying to design a simple transistor circuit? let's say we're using a 2n3904 NPN 12Vcc with with three resistors RC, RB, and RE. how do i determine what value of beta i should use? i want to determine beta so i can add...
  19. M

    Beta distribution: trivial question

    We all know that it is easy to get the beta mean and variance given the parameters α and β of the distribution (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta_distribution). Can we do right the opposite? I.e. is there any way to go uniquely from mean and variance to the parameters of the beta?
  20. C

    Beta plus decay: mass balance?

    Hi: I am taking a radiochemistry class, and I am confused by beta plus decay. (1) p --> n + positron + electron-neutrino The mass of a proton is less than the mass of a neutron. In addition, the neutrino has mass as does the positron. (2) E = mc2 There must be come sort of...
  21. O

    Beta Minus Decay: Questions & Answers

    Hello everybody, I am a first year physics student and I have a question about Nuclear Beta Minus Decay. I was thinking the other day, about a beta decay. After the nucleus is formed, the new atoms state is a positive ion with charge +1. If we think of the electron escaping from...
  22. lonewolf219

    How to determine quantum numbers for beta functions?

    I'm trying to understand the notation (3, 1, 2/3) for the up quark and (3, 2, 1/6) for the left-handed up and down quarks... Is the first number related to SU(3), the second SU(2) and the third I believe is the hyper charge... Not sure what the significance is of the first two numbers... I...
  23. G

    Beta Decay<=>Positron emission

    I'm in high school chem. and we are learning about nuclear chemistry (it's more of a physics topic in my opinion), but we learned that in beta decay a neutron loses mass (e- & anti-neutrino) and becomes a proton. We also learned that in positron emission a proton loses mass (positron &...
  24. L

    Summation Simplification for Neumerator of Beta Estimator

    I need simplify this equation: Ʃwixiyi - (ƩxiwiƩyiwi)/Ʃwi Into an equation of the form: Ʃ(something - something)yi I am pretty sure the first something is xiwi, but I have no idea what the second something would be... Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
  25. C

    What happens to the electron neutrino post beta+ decay?

    In β+ decay a proton releases a positron and an electron neutrino causing the proton to change into a neutron to help balance the nucleus. I am studying advanced PET imaging and trying find a better understanding of the positrons other half. Does it just go on being a normal electron.
  26. S

    Simply Typed Lambda Calculus question - Beta Reduction

    Homework Statement Under the assumption that BETA is a closed term show that (λx.α)(β) and α[x→β] are logically equivalent. Homework Equations I'm sure I have to use β-reduction but I'm not sure how in this case: ⊢(λx.x)(β→α[x→β] The Attempt at a Solution
  27. B

    Date An Object Using Carbon Dating, Beta Decay

    Homework Statement An old wooden tool, containing 75.0 grams of carbon, is found in an ancient tomb. The tool emits 500 electrons/minute from the beta decay of 146C. How old is the wood from which the tool was constructed? Given: The half-life of 146C is 5730 years, the ratio of 146C to 126C in...
  28. sunrah

    Calculating the Mass Difference for Beta Plus Decay: 13N → 13C + e+ + ve

    Homework Statement What is the mass difference of the following process: 13N → 13C + e+ + veHomework Equations Δm = m(A,Z) - m(A, Z-1) - m(e+) Neutrino has negligible mass. Z proton number A = N + Z, where N is number of neutrons The Attempt at a Solution \begin{align} \Delta m &= m(^{13}N)...
  29. P

    Electron Spectrum in Beta Decay

    Homework Statement A nucleus N1 decays through beta decay to nucleus N2. The mass difference between N1 and N2 is ΔM. The differential decay rate may be written as: dw=p(E_e)dE_e p(E_e) \propto E_e (E_e^2-(m_ec^2))^{1/2}(\Delta Mc^2-E_e)((\Delta Mc^2-E_e)^2-(m_vc^2)^2)^{1/2} where Ee is the...
  30. Ahmed Abdullah

    What are the natural target of naturally occuring beta lactamase ?

    I have learned that beta-lactamase enzymes have very ancient origin. And they are just tinkered in the recent anthropogenic activity. So some original form must be out there. What are their natural target?
  31. R

    Alpha and beta radiation interaction

    Before I sound stupid I am only at GCSE level (high school in America) so understanding is little. But theoretically could an alpha particle (helium nucleus) gain electrons and become a helium atom. If this is possible can it be done with two beta particles? Correct me I in wrong an explain why...
  32. C

    Barium Borate- beta BBO crystals (what am I looking at?)

    The chemical formula, BaB2O4, doesn't correspond with the image I see. Barium is green, boron is pink and oxygen is red. Wiki Barium borate No clue about crystals but willing to learn the basics.
  33. FeDeX_LaTeX

    Can the Beta Function be Extended to Real Powers?

    I was looking at some integration problems the other day and I came across this identity: \int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \sin^{p}x \cos^{q}x dx = \frac{1}{2} \mbox{B} \left( \frac{p+1}{2},\frac{q+1}{2}\right) where B(x,y) is the Beta function, for Re(x) and Re(y) > 0. From the way in which the above...
  34. R

    More observed Beta sheets than Alpha helices as temperature increases

    From an experimental study I've found that alpha helices are formed more often than beta sheets when the temperature is low, but when the temperature increases the beta sheets becomes more common. I'm trying to figure out why. As temperature increases, the outer hydrogen bonds of a structure...
  35. P

    Beta decay of deuterium and triterium

    Homework Statement Explain why deuterium cannot undergo beta decay or produce a stable nucleus, while tritium can. Homework Equations n/a The Attempt at a Solution There was nothing in the lesson that really explained this, and the only reason I can find online is because deuterium...
  36. E

    Beta Minus Decay What's next?

    Hi. After Beta minus decay does the atom gain a charge and become an ion? I.e after a neutron become a proton and electron does the atom become positively charged because it has more protons than electrons? Or does it capture an electron from somewhere else? Thanks
  37. alyafey22

    MHB A very interesting complex beta integral:

    This is one of the most interesting integrals I've ever seen $$\frac{1}{2\pi i }\int^{c+i\infty}_{c-i\infty}t^{-a} (1-t)^{-b-1}\, dt = \frac{1}{b\,\beta(a,b)}$$ Does anybody have any idea how to prove it ?
  38. G

    Particle energies after beta decay in different frames

    Hi, I am reading in some books that after the \beta-decay of neutrons, the maximum energy of the resulting electron is a bit less than 800 keV. In some cases, however, I see that in e.g. some studies that try to extract the electron energy from \beta-decay of neutrons with some Monte Carlo...
  39. A

    Relativity question involving proofs of beta and gamma

    Homework Statement (a) The ratio v/c is very often denoted by the single symbol β. Show that if β<<1, the following are valid through terms of order β^2 E = mc^2 + (mv^2)/2 = (mc^2)[1+(β^2)/2] K = (mv^2)/2 = (mc^2)[(β^2)/2] pc = mvc = m(c^2)β γ = 1+(β^2)/2 (b) Show that if γ = ε^-1...
  40. S

    Confused about why beta plus decay happens

    For β- minus decay Q = m_x - m_y Whereas for β+ Q = m_x - m_y - 2m_e Where the masses are atomic masses, x and y are the parent/daughter. The SEMF can be used to find a parabolic curve showing the mass excesses for an A isobar for particular values of Z, and thus show at which Z the atom...
  41. H

    Determining the atomic number, mass number, and chemical name during beta decay

    Determining the atomic number, mass number, and chemical name during beta decay! Homework Statement The image below shows the element Thorium with the atomic number listed above and a mass number of 233. This element undergoes two successive beta decays. The resulting nucleus will have an...
  42. M

    Beta of a Transistor (both NPN and PNP), how would I do that?

    Hello, I am trying to design a circuit that can measure the BETA of a PNP and NPN transistor, I have an ammeter, and I have a design that makes IB going in 0.1mA, so that the current IC of the collector with a shifted decimal is the Beta we would like to measure. So I used a current source, and...
  43. M

    K alpha and K beta wavelengths

    Homework Statement Calculate the Kα and Kβ wavelengths for He and Li Ive seen https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=118050 and the two websites that were given for tables, but I need to show calculations. Homework Equations K alpha Energy=10.2eV*(Z-1)2? E=hc/λ The...
  44. G

    Help me understand this table: Unstandardized Logit Coefficient and Beta?

    Hello, I am currently doing a project and trying to understand this table. I have a pretty good mathematical background but I know very little about statistics. Could someone explain, in simple terms, what this table is saying, specifically "Unstandardized Logit Coefficient" and "Beta"? Thanks...
  45. M

    An Electron coming from the nucleus in Beta Decay?

    Hi guys, essentially I have been talking with my Physics teacher about Beta Decay and she was saying that sometimes electrons come from the nucleus because of the quarks in the protons and the neutrons? I didn't fully understand it so I have likely got it wrong what she was trying to explain. Do...
  46. S

    Alpha and beta particles in gas ionization

    Hello, why alpha particles are better at ionizing gases than beta particles ? shouldn't the negative particles repel more electrons ? thanks
  47. D

    MHB Solving for alpha and beta

    \begin{align} \alpha_nb^n +\beta_nb^{-n}=A_n\\ \alpha_na^n +\beta_na^{-n}=C_n \end{align} How does one go from that to $$ \alpha_n = \frac{A_n/a_n - C_n/b^n}{(b/a)^n-(a/b)^n} $$ and $$ \beta_n = \frac{a^nC_n - b^nA_n}{(b/a)^n-(a/b)^n} $$
  48. D

    Lorentz factor = 10^6, solving for Beta

    Homework Statement A particle moves such that its relativistic factor γ equals one million. Find β (=v/c). Give answer in the form β = 0.999..., with correct number of nines before first non-nine digit. Do not use a calculator Homework Equations (1-β^2)^(-1/2) = 10^6 The Attempt at...
  49. S

    The effects of the alpha, beta and gamma radiation on humans

    I have had a great deal of trouble finding sources that are specific as to how exactly radiation damages the body, it usually just says what damage radiation causes but not how it causes it, so I have compiled what I have found and I want to know if it is accurate and to fill in sequence of...
  50. X

    Beta Decay of He3 Atom: Electron Emission vs. Shell Occupancy

    Does this decay leave the He3 atom with only one electron? The only decay productsas far as I can tell are the electron and antineutrino, so it seems like the atom would only retain the original H3 electron. Now if that's the case, why is the beta decay electron emitted rather than fitting...
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