P5.2.3 Radioactive decay

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Last updated 7:16 PM on 4/28/26
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5 Terms

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What is radioactive decay?

  • Radioactive decay: a spontaneous, random change of an isotopes nucleus that can result in the emission of ionizing radiation

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What happens to the nucleus during α-decay or β-decay?

  • A nucleus changes into a different element during α-decay or β-decay

    • Initial nucleus is called parent nucleus

    • Resulting nucleus is called daughter nucleus

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What happens during alpha decay?

  • When alpha particle is emitted from isotope, mass number and atomic number of nucleus changes

    • Mass number: decreases by 4

    • Atomic number: decreases by 2

<ul><li><p>When alpha particle is emitted from isotope, mass number and atomic number of nucleus changes</p><ul><li><p>Mass number: decreases by 4</p></li><li><p>Atomic number: decreases by 2</p></li></ul></li></ul><p></p>
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What happens during beta decay?

  • When beta particle is emitted from isotope, a neutron changes into a proton and an electron

    • Mass number: stays the same

    • Atomic number: increase by 1

<ul><li><p>When beta particle is emitted from isotope, a neutron changes into a proton and an electron</p><ul><li><p>Mass number: stays the same</p></li><li><p>Atomic number: increase by 1</p></li></ul></li></ul><p></p>
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What happens during gamma decay?

  • When gamma ray is emitted from isotope, the nucleus becomes less energetic but there is no change to its structure

    • This is because gamma rays have no mass or charge

<ul><li><p>When gamma ray is emitted from isotope, the nucleus becomes less energetic but there is no change to its structure</p><ul><li><p>This is because gamma rays have no mass or charge</p></li></ul></li></ul><p></p>