ANSWER AND EXPLAINATION:
Gamma decay differs from alpha and beta decay in several ways:
1. Particle emitted: In gamma decay, no particles are emitted. Instead, a high-energy photon called a gamma ray is released. Alpha decay involves the emission of an alpha particle, which consists of two protons and two neutrons. Beta decay involves the emission of either a beta-minus particle (an electron) or a beta-plus particle (a positron).
2. Mass and charge: Gamma decay does not change the mass or atomic number of the nucleus since no particles are emitted. Alpha decay reduces the atomic number by 2 and the mass number by 4, as an alpha particle is emitted. Beta decay changes the atomic number, with beta-minus decay increasing it by 1 and beta-plus decay decreasing it by 1. The mass number remains the same in beta decay.
3. Penetrating power: Gamma rays have the highest penetrating power among the three types of decay. They can pass through most materials and require dense shielding (e.g., lead or concrete) to attenuate them. Alpha particles have low penetrating power and can be stopped by a sheet of paper or a few centimeters of air. Beta particles have intermediate penetrating power and can be stopped by a few millimeters of aluminum.
4. Energy release: Gamma decay releases energy in the form of high-energy photons. Alpha decay releases a significant amount of energy since an alpha particle carries substantial kinetic energy. Beta decay releases energy in the form of the kinetic energy of the emitted beta particle.
gamma decay is a process that involves the emission of high-energy photons, while alpha and beta decay involve the emission of particles with mass and charge. Gamma rays have higher penetrating power and do not cause changes in the mass or atomic number of the nucleus, distinguishing them from alpha and beta particles.