Beta particles are electrons that contain which two components?

Beta particles are indeed a classification of subatomic particles related to the emissions that occur during radioactive decay. When discussing beta particles specifically, it's crucial to differentiate between their forms. Beta particles can be of two types: beta-minus (β-) particles, which are indeed electrons, and beta-plus (β+) particles, which are positrons.

The correct answer indicates that beta particles include positrons and negatrons. Positrons are the antimatter counterparts to electrons (or negatrons), which means during beta-plus decay, a positron is emitted, while during beta-minus decay, an electron is emitted. This dual nature of beta particles showcases the relationship between matter and antimatter in particle physics.

In the context of the other options, neutrons and protons do not directly relate to the characteristics of beta particles; instead, they are components of atomic nuclei. Neutrinos and photons are also distinct types of particles in nuclear and electromagnetic processes but do not specifically define beta particles. Electrons and photons pertain to different phenomena; while electrons are part of the definition of beta-minus particles, photons are not components of beta particles but rather manifestations of electromagnetic radiation.

Thus, the correct choice highlights the fundamental nature of beta particles by recognizing positrons