Beta Decay Calculator

Calculate beta decay kinematics and rates

Decay Type:

Parent Atomic Number (Z):

Mass Number (A):

Q-value (MeV):

ft value (s): (optional)

About Beta Decay

Beta decay is a type of radioactive decay mediated by the weak force, involving the conversion of a neutron to a proton (or vice versa) with emission of an electron/positron and neutrino.

Decay Modes:

β⁻: n → p + e⁻ + ν̄ₑ (Q > 0)
β⁺: p → n + e⁺ + νₑ (Q > 2mₑ = 1.022 MeV)
EC: p + e⁻ → n + νₑ (Q > 0)

ft Values:

Superallowed: ft ~ 3000 s
Allowed: ft ~ 10³ - 10⁵ s
First forbidden: ft ~ 10⁵ - 10⁸ s