A beta particle (β) is a high-energy electron emitted from the nucleus during radioactive decay, produced when a neutron is converted into a proton. Although it originates in the nucleus, a beta particle is an ordinary electron and carries a charge of −1. Beta particles penetrate matter more deeply than alpha particles but less than gamma rays.

β 粒子(贝塔粒子)是放射性衰变中由原子核放出的高能电子,产生于中子转化为质子的过程。尽管来自原子核,β 粒子就是普通电子,带 −1 电荷。β 粒子对物质的穿透能力强于 α 粒子,但弱于 γ 射线。