Which type of radiation consists of electrons or positrons?

Beta radiation consists of electrons or positrons. In the context of nuclear decay, beta decay occurs when a neutron in a nucleus transforms into a proton, emitting an electron (beta-minus radiation). Conversely, in the case of beta-plus decay, a proton transforms into a neutron, releasing a positron. This fundamental process is directly related to the weak nuclear force and explains the nature of beta radiation, making it distinct from other types such as alpha radiation, which consists of helium nuclei, and gamma radiation, which involves high-energy photons. Thermal radiation is unrelated, as it refers to the emission of energy by all matter as a function of its temperature. This classification highlights the electronic nature of beta radiation, differentiating it from the others in terms of composition and emission mechanism.