Nuclear Decay Processes

Flashcards covering different modes of nuclear decay discussed in the lecture.

Alpha Particle

A helium nucleus consisting of two protons and two neutrons.

Beta Minus Decay

Emission of an electron from the nucleus.

Beta Particle

A particle emitted during beta decay that is physically indistinguishable from an electron.

Antineutrino

A neutral, nearly massless particle emitted during beta decay.

Electron Capture

The process where a nucleus captures an electron from an inner orbital.

Positron

The antimatter equivalent of an electron, possessing the same characteristics but with a positive charge.

Gamma Decay

A photon emitted from the nucleus, resulting from a nucleon transitioning to a lower energy state.

Super Neutron Rich

The unstable nuclei that immediately emits two neutrons.