What Happens in Each Decay

📚 What Happens in Each Decay

ALPHA DECAY (α):

• Nucleus emits an alpha particle (2 protons + 2 neutrons)
• Mass number decreases by 4
• Atomic number decreases by 2
• Element CHANGES (2 fewer protons = different element)

Example: ²²⁶₈₈Ra → ²²²₈₆Rn + ⁴₂α

BETA DECAY (β):

• A neutron turns into a proton (and emits an electron)
• Mass number stays the SAME
• Atomic number increases by 1
• Element CHANGES (one more proton)

Example: ¹⁴₆C → ¹⁴₇N + ⁰₋₁β

GAMMA EMISSION (γ):

• Nucleus releases excess energy as gamma ray
• Mass number stays the SAME
• Atomic number stays the SAME
• Element does NOT change (just loses energy)
• Often follows alpha or beta decay