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| | Electron emitted from the nucleus when a neutron decays to a proton and an
electron.
- A charged particle emitted from a nucleus during radioactive decay, with a
mass equal to 1/1837 that of a proton. A negatively charged beta particle is
identical to an electron. A positively charged beta particle is called a
positron. Large amounts of beta radiation may cause skin bums, and beta
emitters are harmful if they enter the body. Beta particles may be stopped by
thin sheets of metal or plastic.
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