The study of how atoms radioactively decay has played a critical role in developing the standard model, our modern understanding of our universe’s evolution since the Big Bang. Experiments investigating one form of decay, where a radioactive nucleus emits a beta particle to become more stable, have led to revolutionary ideas that are part of the standard model. The most surprising result from beta decay is that nature is not ambidextrous, but is “left-handed.” Handedness refers to a beta particle’s spin; if you curl the fingers of your left hand to follow the spin and your thumb points along the direction of motion, the beta particle is left-handed. No right-handed beta particles have ever been observed.