Beta particles are high-energy, high-speed subatomic particles that are emitted by some forms of radioactive isotope. Beta particles are a form of ionizing radiation, which consist of electrons or positrons and are also known as beta rays. They are represented by the Greek letter beta (ß). There are both positive and negative forms of beta radiation, which generate either positrons or electrons.
A beta molecule may be created when a neutron becomes a proton within an atom. Any form of ionizing radiation is a major hazard as it has the potential to change the atomic structure of the human body and can cause serious health problems, such as radiation poisoning or cancerous mutations due to changes in DNA structure caused by ionization.
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