Decay Modes

Decay Mode

refers to type of radiation radioisotope releases as it decays
radioisotope

any radioactive isotope of an element
Alpha Decay
- when radioactive nucleus spontaneously breaks down to emit alpha particle
- Mass decrease 4
- Protons decrease 2
- Neutrons decrease 2
Beta Decay
- When radioactive nucleus spontaneously breaks down to emit beta particle
- Mass is same
- protons increase 1
- neutrons decrease 1
Positron Emission
- When atom emits positron as it decays
- mass is same
- protons decrease 1
- neutrons increase 1

Author

JustDoughnut

220009

Card Set

Decay Modes

Description

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Updated

2013-05-17T00:46:32Z

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