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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