Nuclear Decay

Atoms with more than 84 protons are unstable

Radioactivity is the emission of particles/energy from the nucleus

The nucleus is too big

This gradually makes more stable isotopes

Alpha decay releases 2 protons and 2 neutrons from the unstable nuclei

This forms a new atom with an atomic number 2 fewer than the original

The mass number also decreases by 4

Alpha radiation is the least harmful

Unstable nuclei result in a neutron splitting into an electron and a proton

The proton stays in the nucleus

The electron (Beta Particle) gets ejected

This makes a new atom with an atomic number 1 greater than the original

The mass stays the same

Unstable nuclei results in the release of high energy radiation

Gamma rays are pure energy (no mass, no charge) & travels at the speed of light!

It is usually released with alpha or beta particles

The nucleus remains the same following this release