So I'm having some trouble distinguishing the different types of beta-decays; beta-minus, beta-plus, and positron emission. If someone could please explain these that would be great.

Question

anonymous · Answer

beta = electron or positron.  A positron is just an electron with + instead of - charge.

sign matches the sign on the particle, so beta-plus = positron, beta-minus = electron.

There are only two types of emission: sometimes beta-plus is called positron, that's all.