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Alpha decay is caused by there being too many protons in the nucleus and beta is caused by there being too many neutrons.
Alpha decay produces an element with a Atomic Mass of 2 smaller than the parent element and a Atomic Mass of four less. Beta produces an element with an atomic mass of one higher than the parent element but with the same atomic mass.
alpha decay gives off alpha particles, which are 2 neutrons plus 2 protons, mass of about 4 amu, charge +2, penetrating power relatively weak (can't go through skin but you die if you eat the stuff giving off alpha particles).
beta decay means giving off beta particles, which are basically electrons, no mass to speak of, negative charge, more power to penetrate, say wood walls won't protect you fully, exposed skin is no problem to pass into.
gamma radiation is massless, particle less, charge less energy, maximium power, easy enough to kill you with, stay far away from this stuff. You can't see or smell it, so be careful.
The cause is having an unstable nucleas that breaks easily.
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Geoffrey Huels
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoAlpha decay is caused by there being too many protons in the nucleus and beta is caused by there being too many neutrons.
Alpha decay produces an element with a atomic mass of 2 smaller than the parent element and a atomic mass of four less. Beta produces an element with an atomic mass of one higher than the parent element but with the same atomic mass.
alpha decay gives off alpha particles, which are 2 neutrons plus 2 protons, mass of about 4 amu, charge +2, penetrating power relatively weak (can't go through skin but you die if you eat the stuff giving off alpha particles).
beta decay means giving off beta particles, which are basically electrons, no mass to speak of, negative charge, more power to penetrate, say wood walls won't protect you fully, exposed skin is no problem to pass into.
gamma radiation is massless, particle less, charge less energy, maximium power, easy enough to kill you with, stay far away from this stuff. You can't see or smell it, so be careful.
The cause is having an unstable nucleas that breaks easily.
If you found this helpful please click trust below
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Order gamma decay beta decay and alpha deacy form weakest to strongest?
gamma decay beta decay alpha decay
How were Alpha decay and beta decay discovered?
Alpha, beta, and gamma radiation were first observed from a sample of Radium in a magnetic field.
What is the beta decay of radium 226?
Radium-226 does not decay by beta decay. It decays by alpha decay to radon-222.
What correctly describes the charge of beta particles and alpha particles?
Beta particles, from beta- decay, have a charge of -1. Beta particles, from beta+ decay, have a charge of +1. Alpha particles have a charge of +2.
What are the products of radioactive decay?
alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma radiation
Alpha and beta decay emit what?
radiation
What is mass converted to in nuclear processes?
nuclear decay, such as alpha decay or beta decay.
What are the three products of radioactivity decay?
alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma radiation
How is the atomic number of a nucleus change is it by alpha decay or beta decay or gamma decay?
Alpha decay decreases the atomic number by two. Beta- decay increases the atomic number by one. Beta+ decay decreases the atomic number by one. Gamma decay does not change the atomic number. However, gamma decay is often incidental to a precipitating alpha or beta event that upsets the energy equilibrium in the nucleus, so the two are not unrelated.
What is the nuclear equation for the alpha decay of uranium 239?
Uranium-239 does NOT decay by alpha decay, it decays only by beta and gammadecay.
What are the possible products of the alpha decay of uranium-238?
The only possible product of the alpha decay of 92238U is 90234Th.
What is the equations for the beta decay of radon-198?
Radon-198 does not decay via beta decay. It is thought to decay by alpha decay, but that is not certain. The equation would be ... 86198Rn -> (Alpha, T1/2 = 86 ms) -> 84194Po + 24He2+
