Radioactivity

Radioactive elements decay in one of three ways:

  • A nucleus can eject 2 protons+2 neutrons (an alpha particle) and transform into a less massive element [alpha decay]
  • A neutron can turn into a proton+electron. The electron leaves [beta decay] and the atomic number goes up by 1.
  • Fission -- the nucleus splits into two new (smaller) atoms.
  • Gamma rays (neutrally charged) can also be emitted from various radioactive elements.

    Bettelheim et al.

    You should be able to understand and explain what's going on in this figure.

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