A beta particle is a negative electron. A positive electron is a Positron.
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Argon-39 undergoes beta decay to become potassium-39, emitting an electron (beta particle) in the process. The atomic number increases by one due to the conversion of a neutron into a proton during beta decay.
During beta decay, a neutron is converted into a proton, releasing an electron (beta particle) and an antineutrino from the nucleus. The beta particle is emitted as the neutron decays into a proton, increasing the atomic number of the nucleus.
If an element emits 1 alpha particle (which consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons) and 3 beta particles (which are electrons), the atomic number decreases by 2 due to the loss of 2 protons with the alpha decay, and increases by 3 due to the addition of 3 electrons with the beta decay. The overall effect is a decrease in the atomic number by 2.
The atomic nucleus can emit beta particles (beta radiation). A neutron emits a beta particle when it decays into a proton, and anti-neutrino, and an electron (which becomes the beta particle).
When a radioactive isotope emits a beta particle (high-energy electron), a neutron in the nucleus is converted into a proton. This causes the atomic number of the nucleus to increase by one because a proton has a positive charge and changes a neutron to a proton increases the atomic number.