Learn about the three most common types of nuclear decay processes: alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma decay. Discover their properties and applications in various fields.

3 Most Common Types of Nuclear Decay Processes

The term “nuclear decay” refers to the spontaneous process by which a nucleus loses energy by emitting particles or electromagnetic radiation. There are three common types of nuclear decay processes: alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma decay. Each of these processes involves the release of different types of particles and energy from the nucleus.

Alpha Decay

Alpha decay occurs when a nucleus emits an alpha particle, which is a cluster of two protons and two neutrons. This process results in the formation of a new nucleus with two fewer protons and two fewer neutrons than the original nucleus. Alpha decay is typically observed in heavy nuclei with atomic numbers greater than 82.

Alpha particles are relatively large and heavy, and they have a positive charge. This makes them highly ionizing, meaning they can strip electrons from atoms or molecules as they pass through matter. Alpha particles also have a short range, typically only a few centimeters in air, and they can be stopped by a sheet of paper or the outer layer of skin.

Beta Decay

Beta decay occurs when a nucleus emits a beta particle, which is either an electron or a positron. In beta-minus decay, a neutron in the nucleus is converted into a proton, and an electron and an antineutrino are emitted. In beta-plus decay, a proton in the nucleus is converted into a neutron, and a positron and a neutrino are emitted.

Beta decay results in the formation of a new nucleus with one more or one fewer proton than the original nucleus, depending on whether beta-minus or beta-plus decay occurs.