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It's atomic number decreases by 2 (because it has lost two protons) but as an alpha particle is two protons and two neutrons the Atomic Mass decreases by 4.

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What is meant by a radioactive element?

A radioactive element is an element with an unstable nucleus that emits radiation as it decays into a more stable form. This radiation can be in the form of alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays. Radiation emitted by radioactive elements can pose health risks and is used in various applications such as medical imaging and energy production.


Is gamma emission a type of radioactive decay?

Yes, gamma rays are ionizing but not as strongly ionizing as other forms of radiation such as Alpha, which is the strongest due to it's size, therefore making it more likely to collide with atoms and remove electrons. Gamma is only weakly ionizing because it is a small photon.


Which form of radioactive decay consists of photons?

Gamma decay consists of the emission of gamma rays, which are high-energy photons. This type of radioactive decay occurs when an unstable nucleus releases excess energy in the form of gamma rays to become more stable.


What is the spontaneous breakdown of the atomic nucleus called?

The spontaneous breakdown of the atomic nucleus is called nuclear decay. This process occurs when an unstable nucleus emits radiation in the form of alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays to achieve a more stable configuration.


What happens to a nucleus of an unstable atom?

An unstable nucleus can undergo radioactive decay to become more stable. This can involve emitting radiation in the form of alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays. The decay process results in a transformation of the nucleus into a different element or isotope.

Related Questions

What happens to a radioactive nucleus when it emits is gamma particle?

it becomes stable.


What do you mean by radioactive?

An element that has an unstable nucleus and therefore emits alpha, beta and/or gamma radiation.


What do you mean by radioactive element?

An element that has an unstable nucleus and therefore emits alpha, beta and/or gamma radiation.


Which form of radioactive decay emits only energy?

Gamma


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 happens when strong forces are not sufficient enough to hold an unstable nuclei together?

When strong forces are not strong enough to hold an unstable nucleus together, the nucleus can undergo radioactive decay. This can result in the release of particles or energy, such as alpha or beta particles, to stabilize the nucleus.


How is the nucleus affected in gamma decay?

When the nucleus emits an alpha or beta particle, it is in the exited state. To return to the ground state, it has to emit energy. It emits this energy in the form of gamma rays. There is no change in the atomic no or the mass no when it emits gamma rays, but it does decrease the energy in the nucleus when gamma rays are emitted


What is meant by a radioactive element?

A radioactive element is an element with an unstable nucleus that emits radiation as it decays into a more stable form. This radiation can be in the form of alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays. Radiation emitted by radioactive elements can pose health risks and is used in various applications such as medical imaging and energy production.


Why we find alpha beta and gamma rays in many radioactive elements?

That's what an atom emits when it decays.


How do the mass number and charge of a nucleus change when it emits a gamma ray?

Neither changes. A gamma ray is just energy, and the nucleus simply transitions to a lower energy state.


What features of radioactive elements make them behave the way they do?

They have a heavy nucleus. Hence it is unstable. Hence it emits radiation in the form of alpha and beta particles to form lighter elements. After emitting these particles, it is in an exited state. It emits gamma radiation to return to its ground state


What effect does losing a gamma ray have on the nucleus?

Losing a gamma ray does not change the number of protons or neutrons in the nucleus, so the nucleus remains the same element. However, the nucleus may be left in an excited state after emitting a gamma ray, and it typically returns to its ground state quickly by emitting the gamma ray.