Beta particles (β) are essentially what type of particle?

Beta particles are essentially electrons. When discussing beta decay, which is a type of radioactive decay, it involves the transformation of a neutron into a proton in the nucleus of an atom, accompanied by the emission of a beta particle. In this process, the beta particle released is an electron, specifically known as a beta minus (β-) particle if an electron is emitted.

Beta particles are characterized by their relatively small mass and negative charge, which are properties that align closely with those of electrons. Understanding this characterization is vital in nuclear chemistry, as it helps clarify the behavior of various elements during radioactive decay processes and the subsequent changes in atomic structure following emission of beta particles.