Doses and Biological Effects

Beta particles can be negatively charged or positively charged (positrons).

The negatively charged beta particle is in essence a high speed electron but it is ejected from the nucleus and it is important to understand that it does not have its origin in orbital electrons.

A negative beta particle may be created when the nucleus has too many neutrons to be stable and it is the changing of a neutron into a proton with the subsequent release of a beta particle that accounts for the genesis of this radiation.

 

Click the Beta 2 tab above to continue.

Depending on the energy with which they start, beta minus particles can penetrate a centimeter or two of tissue before stopping.

A beta particle will be completely absorbed by 6mm of Perspex / plastic.

 

Play the animation on the right to see a demonstration.

 

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