Beta radiation is one of the three types of radiation released by radioactive materials, with the other two being alpha and gamma rays. Beta rays are a stream of electrons released by the conversion of a neutron within an atomic nucleus into a proton and an electron, and are therefore also known as electron flow or beta particles. These electrons have a very fast speed, approaching the speed of light, but their mass is very small, only about 1/1836 of a proton or neutron.
 

The role of beta rays is mainly reflected in the following aspects:
Ionizing effect: Although beta particles have a small mass, due to their high-speed motion, they can collide with other atoms or molecules, causing electrons in these atoms or molecules to be ejected, forming positive ions and free electrons, resulting in ionization phenomenon. This ionization effect is particularly important in living organisms because it can disrupt the molecular structure within cells, such as DNA, leading to cell damage or death.

Biological effects: Due to the ionization ability of beta rays, they can produce a series of biological effects on living organisms. Low dose beta radiation exposure may cause cell damage, gene mutations, or chromosomal abnormalities, while high-dose beta radiation may lead to tissue necrosis, organ dysfunction, and even death. These biological effects make beta rays have broad application prospects in fields such as medicine, biological research, and industrial applications.
 

Medical applications: In the field of medicine, beta rays are often used for radiation therapy, especially for the treatment of certain types of cancer. By precisely controlling the dose and irradiation range of beta rays, cancer cells can be killed without damaging surrounding normal tissues. In addition, beta rays are also used to prepare radioactive isotope drugs, which can release beta rays in the body to kill cancer cells or inhibit their growth.

Industrial applications: In the industrial field, beta rays are also widely used in thickness measurement, density detection, quality control, and other aspects. For example, in industries such as papermaking, plastics, and textiles, the penetration and ionization effects of beta rays can be utilized to measure the thickness or density of materials; In the food packaging industry, the bactericidal ability of beta rays can be utilized to extend the shelf life of food.
 

It should be noted that although beta rays have broad application prospects, due to their strong ionization ability and potential biological hazards, it is necessary to strictly comply with relevant safety regulations and operating procedures during use to ensure the safety of personnel and the environment.