nuclear decay

Question	Answer
What is nuclear decay?	It is the process by which the nucleus of an unstable atom loses energy by emitting radiation.
what is another name for nuclear decay?	radioactivity
what were the three first nuclear decays processes to be discovered?	alpha decay , beta decay and gamma decays.
when does the alpha decay occur?	alpha decay occurs when the nucleus
What happens during radioactive decay?	Radioactive decay is the process by which a radioactive atom emits particles and energy to reach a more stable configuration. Atoms may emit alpha or beta particles from the nucleus or may spontaneously split into different isotopes, producing gamma or neutron radiation.
Why do isotopes undergo radioactive decay?	The forces that normally hold the nucleus together sometimes can't do the job, and so the nucleus breaks apart, undergoing nuclear decay. All elements with 84 or more protons are unstable; they eventually undergo decay. Other isotopes with fewer protons in their nucleus are also radioactive.

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	Created by husien jama over 8 years ago