86.5k views
2 votes
What are the products of each type of radioactive decay?

User Skparwal
by
7.7k points

1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

Each type of radioactive decay produces specific particles or energy: alpha decay emits a helium nucleus, beta decay emits an electron or positron, and gamma decay emits high-energy electromagnetic radiation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The products of each type of radioactive decay are specific to the kind of decay that occurs. There are several types of decay, such as alpha (α) decay, beta (β) decay, and gamma (γ) decay. In alpha decay, the nucleus emits an alpha particle, which is a helium nucleus consisting of 2 protons and 2 neutrons.


Beta decay occurs in two forms: beta-minus (β-) where a neutron is converted into a proton and an electron is emitted, and beta-plus (β+) or positron emission where a proton is converted into a neutron and a positron is emitted. In gamma decay, the nucleus emits gamma radiation, which is high-energy electromagnetic radiation, without a change in the number of protons or neutrons.

User Teliatko
by
7.4k points