The question asks about the type of particle emitted by tritium, which is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen.
To understand the options provided, let's explore the characteristics of tritium decay:
- Tritium (\( ^3_1\text{H} \)): This is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen that has one proton and two neutrons.
- Decay Process: Tritium undergoes beta decay, a type of radioactive decay in which a beta particle is emitted.
- Beta Decay: During beta decay, a neutron in the tritium nucleus is transformed into a proton, and an electron (beta particle, \(\beta^-\)) and an antineutrino are emitted.
Let's evaluate the options:
- Neutron (n): Neutrons are not emitted during tritium decay; instead, one of its neutrons is converted into a proton.
- Beta (\(\beta^-\)): Tritium indeed emits a beta particle during its decay, which is an electron.
- Alpha (\(\alpha\)): Alpha particles, composed of two protons and two neutrons, are not emitted by tritium.
- Gamma (\(\gamma\)): Gamma rays are high-energy electromagnetic waves, but tritium's primary emission is a beta particle, not gamma rays.
Conclusion: The correct answer is Beta (\(\beta^-\)), not Gamma (\(\gamma\)). Tritium emits a beta particle during its radioactive decay.