HAZMAT Technician Practice Exam

What characterizes a beta particle?

1. A high-speed neutron emitted during decay

2. A positive proton released from the nucleus

3. A high-speed electron or positron emitted during radioactive decay

4. A stable electron configuration in an atom

The correct answer is: A high-speed electron or positron emitted during radioactive decay

A beta particle is characterized as a high-speed electron or positron emitted during the process of radioactive decay. In nuclear reactions, beta decay occurs when a neutron in an unstable nucleus is transformed into a proton, resulting in the emission of a beta particle, which is essentially an electron. Conversely, during the decay of certain types of particles, a positron, which is the antimatter counterpart of an electron, may be emitted instead. This high-speed nature is significant because the beta particle possesses sufficient energy to penetrate materials more effectively than alpha particles but is less penetrating than gamma rays. This characteristic is critical for HAZMAT technicians as it influences the safety protocols needed when dealing with materials that can undergo such decay processes.