Flashcards in Nuclear Decay Deck (3)
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1
Q
Alpha decay
A
Decreases the number of neutrons and protons in large nuclei (massive)
Ejection of a helium nucleus at relatively low speed.
subtracts 4 from mass number
subtracts 2 from atomic number
2
Q
beta (-) decay
A
decreases number of neutrons, increases number of protons
Ejection of a high speed electron.
adds 1 from the atomic number
3
Q
gamma decay
A
Release of high energy electromagnetic wave.
brings an excited nucleus to a lower energy state
no change to any numbers