In the radioactive decay process, the negatively charged emitted β-particles are:

Question

Accepted Answer

1.  **Nature of Beta Particles:** Beta ($β^-$) particles are high-energy electrons emitted from the nucleus of a radioactive atom .
2.  **Origin:** They do not exist within the nucleus prior to decay (ruling out Option 1) nor are they the orbital electrons surrounding the nucleus (ruling out Option 4).
3.  **Mechanism:** In beta-minus decay, an unstable neutron inside the nucleus transforms into a proton and an electron (along with an antineutrino) to achieve stability.
    $$ n ightarrow p + e^- + \bar{
u} $$
4.  **Emission:** The proton remains in the nucleus (increasing the atomic number by 1), while the electron is ejected instantaneously as the $β$-particle.
5.  **Conclusion:** Thus, $β$-particles are electrons produced by the decay of neutrons inside the nucleus.

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