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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.
What else can I help you with?
Why does gamma radiation NOT change the type of atom?
The type of atom is only changed if the proton number changes. Change in neutrons create an isotope, change in electrons create an ion and the change in protons change the atom (Hydrogen to Helium for example). Gamma radiation is the emission of a photon, of pure energy, it is neither positive or negative and it has nothing to do with the protons.
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?
The emission of electromagnetic radiation by an excited atom is called spontaneous emission. This process occurs when an atom transitions from a higher energy state to a lower energy state, releasing a photon in the form of electromagnetic radiation in the process.
Does Gamma decay change the atomic number?
No, gamma decay does not change the atomic number of an atom. Gamma decay involves the release of high-energy electromagnetic radiation (gamma rays) from the nucleus of an atom, but it does not affect the number of protons in the nucleus, which determines the atomic number.
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 much does an atom's mass change when it emits gamma radiation?
An atom's mass does not change when it emits gamma radiation. Gamma radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation with no mass or charge, so the total mass of the atom remains constant. The energy and momentum carried by the gamma radiation may cause the atom to recoil, but the mass of the atom itself does not change.
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?
The type of atom is only changed if the proton number changes. Change in neutrons create an isotope, change in electrons create an ion and the change in protons change the atom (Hydrogen to Helium for example). Gamma radiation is the emission of a photon, of pure energy, it is neither positive or negative and it has nothing to do with the protons.
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.
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
Which electromagnetic waves are produced during some nuclear reactions?
During nuclear reactions, gamma rays are produced as a form of electromagnetic radiation. Gamma rays are the most energetic and penetrating type of electromagnetic radiation, and they are produced when the nucleus of an atom undergoes a change.
What best represents gamma emission?
Gamma emission is best represented by the release of high-energy electromagnetic radiation from the nucleus of an atom. This type of radiation has the shortest wavelength and highest frequency in the electromagnetic spectrum, making it the most penetrating form of radiation. Gamma emission commonly occurs during radioactive decay processes.
Where are the radioactive alpha beta and gamma radiation made?
Radioactive alpha, beta, and gamma radiation are produced during the decay of certain types of unstable atomic nuclei, such as those of radioactive elements like uranium or radium. These types of radiation can also be produced in nuclear reactions, such as those that occur in nuclear power plants or in nuclear weapons.
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.
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.
What happens when an atom loses a gamma ray?
When an atom loses a gamma ray, it transitions to a lower energy state by releasing a high-energy photon. This process is known as gamma decay and the atom becomes more stable after losing the energy in the form of gamma radiation.
