In nuclear beta decay an up quark ‘u’ in a proton converts into an up down quark ‘d,’ turning the proton into a neutron and emitting a positron and a neutrino. This work affects ...

Here is the equation for the alpha decay of radon-219 into polonium. Beta decay involves the conversion of a down quark to an up quark. This changes a neutron into a proton plus an electron.

The thicker the substance, the more the radiation is absorbed. Alpha, beta and gamma radiations penetrate materials in different ways. Alpha radiation is the least penetrating. It can be stopped ...