example of positron emission (?⁺ decay) is the decay of magnesium-23 into sodium-23 with a half-life of about 11.3 s:
: -> + + ?⁺ decay also results in nuclear transmutation, with the daughter element having an atomic number that is decreased by one.

The beta spectrum, or distribution of energy values for the beta particles, is continuous. The total energy of the decay process is divided between the electron, the antineutrino, and