10.3.2 Radioactive Decay

Alpha Decay

1. During an alpha decay, a radioactive atom X decay and emits an alpha particle ($He$ ).
2. Atom X losses 2 neutron and 2 proton and become atom Y.

Example

Beta decay

1. A beta particles is an electron emitted from a nucleus.
2. The beta particles are very small and move with very high speed.
3. During a beta decay, a radioactive atom X decay and emits a beta particle ($e$ ).
4. One of the neutron is disintegrated to become proton and electron. The electron is emitted out from the nucleus whereas the proton stay in the nucleus.
   
5. Therefore proton number increase by 1 and the nucleon number remain unchanged.

Examples of beta decay

Gamma Emission 

Gamma emission causes no change in nucleon number or proton number.