Final answer:
Beta radiation (beta decay) involves the conversion of a neutron into a proton and an electron. This process increases the atomic number by one while maintaining the atomic weight. It is often accompanied by gamma radiation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Beta radiation, also known as beta decay, is a process in which a neutron in the nucleus of an atom is converted into a proton and an electron (beta particle). The electron is then ejected from the nucleus. This increases the atomic number by one while keeping the atomic weight the same.
For example, carbon-14 undergoes beta decay, emitting a beta particle (electron) to transmute into a nitrogen-14 nucleus.
Beta decay is often accompanied by gamma radiation, which is energy released during the process.