Question

Radioactive Decays What are the three most common types of radioactive decays? How do they differ? Also how many types of decays are there? Please describe them.

Answer 1

Radio-active decay :- When an element undergoes decay,its nuclues changes i.e., it decays to turn into a different

daughter element altogether.

Common types:- The three most common types of radio-active decay are:-

(1) Alpha decay

(2) Beta decay

(3) Gamma decay

(1) Alpha Decay :- During alpha decay,two protons & two neutrons were released from the nuclues of an atom.

This small bundle is known as an alpha particle.

• This type of decay happens in larger,heavier atoms.
• Alpha particles have a net charge of +2.(since 2 protons & neutrons)
• Alpha radiation can be stopped by PAPER.

(2) Beta Decay :- During Beta Decay,a neutron sends its electron packing literally ejecting it from the nucleus at a

high speed(Since neutron is a proton with electron attached).Hence,neutron turns out as a proton after this decay.

• Beta decay increases an atom's electron count by one.
• During Beta radiation,atom's proton count grows by one
• Beta radiation can be stopped by Wood.

(3) Gamma Decay :- It is electro-magnetic radiation similar to light.Gamma decay does not change the charge or

mass of the atom from which it originates.It is often emmitted along with alpha or beta particle ejection.

• Gamma radiation can be stopped by Lead.