radioactive decay
This is a gamma-decay.
When an isotope is stable, it does not undergo radioactive decay. Stable isotopes have a balanced number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus, which prevents them from spontaneously changing into another element over time.
Alpha decay is a kind of radioactive decay in which an alpha particle is emitted from an atom. An alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons. Therefore, when an atom of an element undergoes alpha decay, it loses two protons, which changes the atom from one element to another. This is because each different element is identified by the number of protons in its atomic nuclei.
Often, but not always, atoms with an equal number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus are stable and not radioactive.
radioactive decay
The ratio neutrons/protons in radioactive isotopes is the cause of their innstability.
a new element is formed
Alpha decay
This is a gamma-decay.
An isotope is radioactive if it undergoes spontaneous decay, emitting particles or radiation in the process. This decay results in the transformation of the atomic nucleus into a different element or a different isotope of the same element.
If radioactive decay causes the loss of one or more protons, the element changes into a different element with a lower atomic number. This process is known as transmutation. The new element formed will have different chemical properties than the original element due to the change in the number of protons.
The nucleus of the atom decays, and in the process, the nucleus transforms into another element, or into an isotope or isomer of the same element. In radioactive decay, the nucleus always emits some kind of particle(s). It is the high-energy emission of these particles that we call radiation. There are many different types of radioactive decay:Alpha decay results in the emission of an alpha particle (two neutrons and two protons)Beta decay results in the emission of a beta particle (an electron or a positron)Neutron decay results in the emission of a neutronProton decay results in the emission of a protonGamma decay results in the emission of a gamma particle (a photon)Neutrino decay results in the emission of a neutrino or antineutrinoIn some cases, a combination of the above emissions takes place. For example in double beta decay, a single nucleus emits two electrons and two antineutrinos in the same event.
Alpha decay is a kind of radioactive decay in which an alpha particle is emitted from an atom. An alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons. Therefore, when an atom of an element undergoes alpha decay, it loses two protons, which changes the atom from one element to another. This is because each different element is identified by the number of protons in its atomic nuclei.
Alpha decay
To predict the mode of decay in radioactive substances, scientists use the concept of nuclear stability and the ratio of protons to neutrons in the nucleus. By analyzing these factors, they can determine whether a radioactive substance will decay through alpha, beta, or gamma decay.
The instability of the nuclei is the basic cause of radioactive decay.