Final answer:
In alpha decay, kinetic energy is generated as the emitted alpha particle carries energy away from the parent nucleus. Gamma decay, on the other hand, releases pure energy as gamma rays, while beta decay emits an electron or positron with kinetic energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
In alpha decay, the type of energy that is primarily generated is kinetic energy. During alpha decay, a helium nucleus, which consists of two protons and two neutrons, is emitted from the parent nucleus. This helium nucleus, also known as an alpha particle, is released with a specific amount of kinetic energy, causing it to move away from the nucleus at a high velocity. For instance, if a helium nucleus in alpha decay is given 5.00 MeV of kinetic energy, this energy is directly converted into the motion of the alpha particle, resulting in its velocity.
In contrast, gamma decay involves the emission of electromagnetic radiation, known as gamma rays, which is pure energy without mass. Beta decay generates a beta particle (an electron or positron), which also carries kinetic energy away from the nucleus. However, unlike alpha particles, beta particles have much less mass and can achieve velocities that are close to the speed of light, particularly when the given kinetic energy is large compared to their rest mass energy.
During radioactive decay, the nuclear energy stored within the unstable nucleus is transformed into other forms, primarily through the emission of particles (alpha or beta) and energy (gamma rays), thereby leading to a more stable configuration of the atomic nucleus.