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Q: What develops when an unstable atom gives off particles and gamma rays?
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Is it possible for gamma decay to produce a new element?

no, gamma isn't really decay as the radioactive ion doesn't emit any particles. In alpha and beta decay, different size particles are emitted as the nucleus decays but in gamma radiatio the ion gives off an ionising electromagnetic wave.


What is a nucleus that emits energy and particles spontaneously?

Any radioactive element gives off subatomic particles, and these particles carry considerable energy. That is the definition of radioactivity. Examples of radioactive elements include uranium, plutonium, polonium, radium, and many more.


How do you describe the process of gamma decay?

Gamma decay is one of three main types of radioactive decay. The other two are alpha and beta. In gamma decay, particles known as gamma rays are emitted. Gamma rays are actually high energy photons, the particle analogue of an electromagnetic wave. First of all, what is a radioactive decay? Well, we can start by saying that radioactive substances are highly unstable. As such, they strive to attain stability and in the process, undergo what is known as radioactive decay. You can think of a radioactive substance as being made up of highly unstable nuclei (made up of protons and neutrons). It is actually these nuclei that undergo radioactive decay. When each unstable nucleus decays, it loses a great amount of energy. This energy can come in the form of either an alpha particle (a Helium nucleus), a beta particle (an electron or positron), or a gamma particle (also known as a gamma ray). When a gamma particle is the one emitted, then the decay is known as a gamma decay. While alpha and beta decays occur because there are either too much neutrons compared to protons or too much protons compared to neutrons in the nucleus (this is why the nucleus is unstable), gamma decay simply occurs because the nucleus is in an excited or highly energetic state and hence has to 'relax' a bit. When this nucleus jumps down to a less energetic state, it releases the unwanted energy in the form of an electromagnetic wave which, as stated earlier, is the gamma ray. Among all three emitted particles in radioactive decay processes, gamma particles are the most penetrating. While alpha particles can be stopped by a sheet of paper and beta particles, by an aluminum plate, gamma particles can only be stopped by a thick dense material such as lead. Reminds you of Superman, does it? Because of the high penetrating capabilities of its emitted particles, gamma decay is considered the greatest threat among the three. Radioactive substances in laboratories are kept inside Lead-sealed cabinets. Some even have Lead-sealed lab rooms. This design is made specifically for the purpose of preventing gamma rays from passing through. Gamma rays that strike human cells can dislodge electrons from atoms comprising the cells because of the rays' ionizing property. This can leave the atom with a positive charge, causing it to interact with other atoms beside it and subsequently damaging the cell.


What type of radiation is emitted by the radioactive technetium?

technetium gives off gamma radiation.


Is heat always released in a chemical reaction?

No. One example of a chemical reaction which releases something other than heat is gamma radiation, which gives off massless light particles (as hard as that is to believe). In addition, all endothermic reactions actually consume heat energy.

Related questions

What does it means an element is radioactive?

It means the element is unstable and gives off dangerous particles.


Is it possible for gamma decay to produce a new element?

no, gamma isn't really decay as the radioactive ion doesn't emit any particles. In alpha and beta decay, different size particles are emitted as the nucleus decays but in gamma radiatio the ion gives off an ionising electromagnetic wave.


Which type of radiation has no mass or charge?

Free radiation I suppose. But gamma radiation, is charge free. As is UV, IR, ... ..


Can gama radiation takes place before alfa and beta decay?

Yes. Each unstable element decays differently. Some emit gamma, some emit alpha, some emit beta, and some emit different combinations of those in different sequences as one unstable element gives rise to another unstable element.


What gives off more energy infrared waves or gamma rays?

Gamma Rays


What is a nucleus that emits energy and particles spontaneously?

Any radioactive element gives off subatomic particles, and these particles carry considerable energy. That is the definition of radioactivity. Examples of radioactive elements include uranium, plutonium, polonium, radium, and many more.


What Kind of energy associated with gamma emission?

Gamma radiation is the emission of an photon from the nucleus with energy relative to the energy step that the nucleus takes in coming down from an excited state down to either an intermediate state or to the ground state.


What type of space objects gives out gamma rays?

Quasars.


How do you describe the process of gamma decay?

Gamma decay is one of three main types of radioactive decay. The other two are alpha and beta. In gamma decay, particles known as gamma rays are emitted. Gamma rays are actually high energy photons, the particle analogue of an electromagnetic wave. First of all, what is a radioactive decay? Well, we can start by saying that radioactive substances are highly unstable. As such, they strive to attain stability and in the process, undergo what is known as radioactive decay. You can think of a radioactive substance as being made up of highly unstable nuclei (made up of protons and neutrons). It is actually these nuclei that undergo radioactive decay. When each unstable nucleus decays, it loses a great amount of energy. This energy can come in the form of either an alpha particle (a Helium nucleus), a beta particle (an electron or positron), or a gamma particle (also known as a gamma ray). When a gamma particle is the one emitted, then the decay is known as a gamma decay. While alpha and beta decays occur because there are either too much neutrons compared to protons or too much protons compared to neutrons in the nucleus (this is why the nucleus is unstable), gamma decay simply occurs because the nucleus is in an excited or highly energetic state and hence has to 'relax' a bit. When this nucleus jumps down to a less energetic state, it releases the unwanted energy in the form of an electromagnetic wave which, as stated earlier, is the gamma ray. Among all three emitted particles in radioactive decay processes, gamma particles are the most penetrating. While alpha particles can be stopped by a sheet of paper and beta particles, by an aluminum plate, gamma particles can only be stopped by a thick dense material such as lead. Reminds you of Superman, does it? Because of the high penetrating capabilities of its emitted particles, gamma decay is considered the greatest threat among the three. Radioactive substances in laboratories are kept inside Lead-sealed cabinets. Some even have Lead-sealed lab rooms. This design is made specifically for the purpose of preventing gamma rays from passing through. Gamma rays that strike human cells can dislodge electrons from atoms comprising the cells because of the rays' ionizing property. This can leave the atom with a positive charge, causing it to interact with other atoms beside it and subsequently damaging the cell.


What is the strongest energy wave that the Sun gives off?

gamma radiation


What type of radiation is emitted by the radioactive technetium?

technetium gives off gamma radiation.


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