What is the nature of beta particles in terms of electrical charge?

Beta particles are indeed characterized by their negative electrical charge. In the context of nuclear physics, beta decay involves a transformation within an atomic nucleus where a neutron is converted into a proton, emitting a beta particle in the process. This beta particle is essentially an electron, which carries a single negative charge.

The emission of beta particles occurs during certain types of radioactive decay when an unstable nucleus seeks to achieve a more stable configuration. As a result, beta particles are consistently associated with this negative charge due to their identity as electrons or, in some cases, positrons (which are not relevant here since positrons are positive). However, when referring specifically to beta particles commonly, they are the negatively charged ones.

Therefore, understanding that beta particles are negative is crucial in the study of nuclear reactions and their implications for atomic structure and radiation.