Radioactive decay

Front

What is radioactive decay?

Back

Radioactive decay is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation, resulting in the transformation of the element into a different element or isotope.

Front

What is alpha decay?

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Alpha decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle (2 protons and 2 neutrons), resulting in a new element with a lower atomic number.

Front

What is an alpha particle?

Back

An alpha particle is a helium nucleus consisting of 2 protons and 2 neutrons, emitted during alpha decay.

Front

What is beta decay?

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Beta decay is a type of radioactive decay in which a neutron is transformed into a proton, emitting a beta particle (an electron or positron) and an antineutrino.

Front

What is gamma decay?

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Gamma decay is the release of gamma radiation from a nucleus, often following alpha or beta decay, without changing the number of protons or neutrons.

Front

What happens to the atomic number during alpha decay?

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During alpha decay, the atomic number decreases by 2.

Front

What happens to the mass number during alpha decay?

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During alpha decay, the mass number decreases by 4.

Front

Why do atoms undergo radioactive decay?

Back

Atoms undergo radioactive decay to achieve a more stable configuration, often due to an imbalance in the number of protons and neutrons.

Front

What is the equation for alpha decay of Radium-226?

Back

226_88Ra → 222_86Rn + 4_2He.

Front

What is the equation for beta decay of Californium-263?

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263_104Rf → 263_105Db + 0_-1e.