Production
Decay
Radioactive decay is when the nucleus of an unstable element loses energy by emitting radiation. This can include the emission of alpha particles, beta particles, gamma particles and conversion electrons.
Radioactive decay is a random process and it is impossible to predict when an element will decay. However a half-life (the amount of time required for an element to fall to half its mass) remains constant.
There are three different types of decay – alpha decay, beta decay and gamma decay (discovered by our good mate Ernest Rutherford). The types of decay vary because different kinds of decay produce different particles. The starting radioactive nucleus is called the parent nucleus (or the parent radioisotope) and the decayed change in nucleus is called the daughter nucleus (or the daughter radioisotope).
Alpha particle: a particle made up of two protons and two neutrons.
Alpha decay: During alpha decay, the element releases an alpha particle. It therefore loses two neutrons and two protons, which often mean they change into another element.
Beta particle: beta particles are electrons or positrons (version of an electron with a positive charge) emitted by radioactive nuclei, which form an ionizing radiation (particles that can electrically charge another atom).
Beta decay: beta decay is either plus or minus. Beta plus is when the element or atom looses a positron. Beta minus is when the atom loses an electron.
Gamma particle (ray): gamma rays are electromagnetic (electrons with a magnetic charge) photons with very high energies. They are also a type of ionizing radiation.
Gamma decay: gamma decay is when an element looses a gamma ray from the nucleus.
Radioactive decay is a random process and it is impossible to predict when an element will decay. However a half-life (the amount of time required for an element to fall to half its mass) remains constant.
There are three different types of decay – alpha decay, beta decay and gamma decay (discovered by our good mate Ernest Rutherford). The types of decay vary because different kinds of decay produce different particles. The starting radioactive nucleus is called the parent nucleus (or the parent radioisotope) and the decayed change in nucleus is called the daughter nucleus (or the daughter radioisotope).
Alpha particle: a particle made up of two protons and two neutrons.
Alpha decay: During alpha decay, the element releases an alpha particle. It therefore loses two neutrons and two protons, which often mean they change into another element.
Beta particle: beta particles are electrons or positrons (version of an electron with a positive charge) emitted by radioactive nuclei, which form an ionizing radiation (particles that can electrically charge another atom).
Beta decay: beta decay is either plus or minus. Beta plus is when the element or atom looses a positron. Beta minus is when the atom loses an electron.
Gamma particle (ray): gamma rays are electromagnetic (electrons with a magnetic charge) photons with very high energies. They are also a type of ionizing radiation.
Gamma decay: gamma decay is when an element looses a gamma ray from the nucleus.