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Gamma emission is not a decay process. It is a restabilization process of the nucleus in response to some other decay process, such as alpha or beta, which leaves the nucleus in an excited state. When the nucleus comes down from that excited state it emits a photon of energy equal to the step change in energy that was made.
Short answer: The Atomic Mass or atomic number of a nucleus is not changed, specifically, by the gamma emission, but it is changed by the precipitating alpha or beta (or other) event that left the nucleus in an excited state.
Slightly more correct answer: The mass of the nucleus is decreased by the equivalent mass of the loss of energy that occurs. This ratio is e=mc2, where c2 is 9 x 1018, so you can see that the delta mass due to gamma emission is very, very small.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoBecause gamma rays have no mass and no electrical charge, the emission of gamma radiation does not alter the atomic number or mass number of an atom.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoIn a gamma decay, the atom loses energy but the number and charge of particles is unchanged.
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Why does gamma radiation NOT change the type of atom?
Gamma radiation, which is a type of electromagnetic radiation, does not change the type of atom because it does not involve the transfer or exchange of particles. Unlike alpha and beta radiation, which involve the emission of particles from the nucleus, gamma radiation consists of high-energy photons that are released from the atomic nucleus. Therefore, it does not alter the composition or identity of the atom.
What is considered to be ionizing radiation?
Ionizing radiation is radiation with enough energy so that during an interaction with an atom, it can remove tightly bound electrons from the orbit of an atom, causing the atom to become charged or ionized.
How does gamma radiation affect the nucleus?
In the case of pure gamma decay, the element will not decay into another element or another isotope, like with alpha- or beta radiation, but it will lose energy in the form of a (gamma) photon. The atomic number and mass number will not change.
What is the emission of electromagnetic radiation by an excited atom called?
Gamma radiation is high-energy photons emitted by a radioisotope.
Which of these types of radioactive decay does not produce an atom of a different element?
All forms of radioactive decay have emissions. Some, however, do not emit alpha, positive or negative beta, or gamma particles, and do not emit protons or neutrons either. In these, which include electron capture and double electron capture, neutrinos are emitted, but these are still considered particles.
What is the change in the atomic number when an atom emits gamma radiation?
The atomic number does not change when gamma radiation is emitted.
Why does gamma radiation NOT change the type of atom?
Gamma radiation, which is a type of electromagnetic radiation, does not change the type of atom because it does not involve the transfer or exchange of particles. Unlike alpha and beta radiation, which involve the emission of particles from the nucleus, gamma radiation consists of high-energy photons that are released from the atomic nucleus. Therefore, it does not alter the composition or identity of the atom.
What is released by decay?
Gamma radiation isn't a form of decay as it doesn't create a new atom but gamma radiation is an electromagnetic wave.
Where are the radioactive alpha beta and gamma radiation made?
The radiation originates in the atom, usually in the nucleus of the atom as a result of the atom being split.
What do a gamma ray gives off?
Gamma decay occurs when an atomic nucleus changes from a higher energy state to a lower one. When it does the "extra" energy leaves in the form of a gamma ray. That's gamma decay. The gamma ray is electromagnetic energy. That means that there is not a particle of anything involved in this event. Gamma decay is the emergence of that gamma ray from the nucleus of an atom that is going down in its energy state
What change in atomic mass when an atom emits gamma radiation?
It remains the same.
What is gamma emission?
In gamma rays atom becomes more stable by emitting excess energy in the form of gamma radiation. Gamma rays are part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
What is considered to be ionizing radiation?
Ionizing radiation is radiation with enough energy so that during an interaction with an atom, it can remove tightly bound electrons from the orbit of an atom, causing the atom to become charged or ionized.
Why do gamma radiation produce positive ions?
If a gamma ray knocks an electron out of an atom, the remaining atom (assuming it was originally neutral) will have one electron less - therefore it will have a positive charge.
How does gamma radiation affect the nucleus?
In the case of pure gamma decay, the element will not decay into another element or another isotope, like with alpha- or beta radiation, but it will lose energy in the form of a (gamma) photon. The atomic number and mass number will not change.
Why are seeds not radioactive after gamma radiation?
Gamma radiation excite electrons, it has no impact on the nucleolus of an atom. Therefore an irradiated molecule under goes a process similar to burning but does not acquire any radioactive properties.
When radiation is absorbed by a hydrogen electron the hydrogen atom changes its ground state to?
an atom
