Does the emission of beta particles change the identity of the radionuclide?

The emission of beta particles does indeed change the identity of the radionuclide. This process occurs during beta decay, a form of radioactive decay where a neutron in the nucleus of an unstable atom transforms into a proton and an electron (the beta particle) is emitted.

As a result of this transformation, the original radionuclide, which contains a specific number of protons and neutrons, is altered because the proton count increases by one while the neutron count decreases by one. This change in the number of protons effectively transforms the radionuclide into a different element, as the element is defined by its number of protons in the nucleus (atomic number). Therefore, the emission of beta particles changes both the identity and, consequently, the properties of the radionuclide involved in this decay process.

Understanding this concept is essential in medical dosimetry, as the changes in radionuclide identity have implications for treatment strategies, radiopharmaceutical development, and interpretations of diagnostic imaging.