View Full Version : beta decay


Dentist2be
08-18-2005, 02:08 PM
when you see beta decay problem, how do you know if it's beta+ or beta-?
The way you calculate the number of proton is totally opposite.. I have seen several questions regarding beta decay and none of them specified which decay it was. Does anyone know?

For those of you who have already taken the exam, did you get those types of questions in chem section?

Thanks!

chordata
08-18-2005, 02:18 PM
All of the examples I have seen (from practice tests) have always had beta decay equivalent to beta- decay (where a neutron is lost and a proton is gained).

I'm pretty sure that beta- decay is the default when it isn't specified.