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Radioactive decay

Radioactive decay is the


spontaneous breakdown of an
atomic nucleus resulting in the
release of energy and matter
from the nucleus.
Remember that a radioisotope
has unstable nuclei that does not
have enough binding energy to
hold the nucleus together.
There are 5 different types of
radioactive decay.
Alpha decay
Beta negative decay
Gamma decay .
Positron emission (also called
Beta positive decay).
Electron capture.
Alpha decay or α-decay
1. Alpha decay or α-decay is a
type of radioactive decay in
which an atomic nucleus emits
an alpha particle (helium
nucleus).
2. thereby transforms or 'decays'
into an atom with a mass number
that is reduced by four and an
atomic number that is reduced
by two.
Beta Decay
Beta decay occurs in two ways:
(i) beta-minus decay, when the
nucleus emits an electron and that
changes a neutron to a proton.
(ii) beta-plus decay, when the
nucleus emits a positron and that
changes a proton to a neutron.
Beta Decay

astatine

218
218 At
84
Po 85

b
0

-1
polonium
Beta Decay

b
A A 0

Z
X Z+1
Y + -1

b
218 218 0

84
Po 85
Rn + -1
polonium Radon
Beta Decay

b
234 A 0

90
Th Z
Y + -1

b
234 234 0

90
Th 91
Pa + -1
Thorium protactinium
Beta Decay

b
A 210 0

Z
X 82
Pb + -1

b
210 210 0

81
Tl 82
Pb + -1
lead
Thalium
Gamma decay
Penetration of Matter
Though the most massive and most energetic
of radioactive emissions, the alpha particle is the
shortest in range because of its strong interaction with
matter. The electromagnetic gamma ray is extremely
penetrating, even penetrating considerable
thicknesses of concrete. The electron of beta
radioactivity strongly interacts with matter and has a
short range.

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