Beta particles, description

Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) extends the capabilities of atom-counting using conventional mass spectrometry, by removing whole-mass molecular interferences without the need for a mass resolution very much better than the mass difference between the atom and its molecular isobar. This technique has been used with great success for the routine measurement of C, Be, " Al, C1 and, recently, (see Table 5.15). Analysis of " C by AMS can, for example, generate dates with a precision that is at least equal to the best conventional beta-particle-counting facility. In many cases, where small sample analysis is required, the AMS method has proved superior (Benkens, 1990). A complete description of AMS can be found in review articles (Litherland et al., 1987 Elmore and Philips, 1978) or recent conference publications. The application of AMS to measurement has been discussed in detail in Kilins et al. (1992). 

Write a general description of the changes that take place in beta emission. Write the three symbols used for a beta particle. Write the general equation for beta emission, using X for the reactant element symbol, Y for the product element symbol, Z for atomic number, and A for mass number. 

In 1899, Ernest Rutherford began to investigate the nature of the rays emitted from uranium. He found two particles, which he called alpha and beta particles. Soon he realized that uranium, while emitting these particles, was changing into another element. By 1912, over 30 radioactive isotopes were known, and many more are known today. The gamma ray, a third type of emission from radioactive materials similar to an X-ray, was discovered by Paul Villard (1860-1934) in 1900. Rutherford s description of the nuclear atom led scientists to attribute the phenomenon of radioactivity to reactions taking place in the nuclei of atoms. 

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