Radioactive decay (or radioactivity) is the property of some atoms that causes them to spontaneously give off energy as particles or rays. Radioactive atoms emit ionizing radiation when they decay, meaning they have enough energy to break chemical bonds in molecules or remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, thus creating charged molecules or atoms (ions).[1]
Decay types
Radio nuclides of different types can be involved in several different reactions that produce radiant energy. The three main types of ionizing radiation are alpha, beta, and gamma.
Alpha decay- Two protons and two neutrons emitted from nucleus
Beta decay- A neutron emits an electron and an antineutrino and becomes a proton
Gamma decay- Excited nucleus releases a high-energy photon
Property Alpha radiation Beta radiation Gamma radiation
Composition Alpha particle Beta particle Electromagnetic radiation
Symbol α β γ
Charge 2+ 1- 0
Mass 4 1/1837 0
Penetrating power Low Moderate Very high
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