Selected Citation
Attempt at a Theory of Beta Rays

A quantitative theory of β-decay is proposed, in which one assumes the existence of the neutrino and treats the emission of electrons and neutrinos from a nucleus during β-decay with a method similar to the emission of a light quantum from an excited atom in the Radiation theory. Formulas for the service life and for the shape of the emitted continuous β-radiation spectrum are derived and compared with experience.