This is a process where the nuclei of a radioactive element undergoes a series of disintegration to become stable
During decay process, the total mass number before and after decay must remain constant
For alpha decay, the parent element loses a helium atom, where the mass number decreases by 4 and the atomic number by 2
\( \scriptsize _{A} ^{Z} \textrm {X}\; \rightarrow \; _{A – 4} ^{Z – 2} \textrm {X} \; + \; _{2} ^{4} \textrm {He} + energy\) \( \scriptsize _{226} ^{86} \textrm {Ra}\; \rightarrow \; _{222} ^{84} \textrm {Ra} \; + \; _{2} ^{4} \textrm {He} + energy\)For β -decay,
The atomic number of new element decreases by 1 while the mass number remains unchanged
\( \scriptsize _{A} ^{Z} \textrm {X}\; \rightarrow \; _{A } ^{Z + 1} \textrm {Y} \; + \; _{-1} ^{0} \textrm {β} + energy\) \( \scriptsize _{235} ^{92} \textrm {U}\; \rightarrow \; _{235} ^{93} \textrm {U}\; + \; _{-1} ^{0} \textrm {β} + energy\)For γ rays, no new element is produced; it is the energyEnergy is the ability to do work. Energy exists in several forms such as heat, kinetic or mechanical energy, light, potential energy, and electrical energy. Units of Energy: The SI unit... More state of the nuclide that changes
\( \scriptsize _{A} ^{Z} \textrm {X} \; \rightarrow \; _{A} ^{Z} \textrm {X} \; + \; energy \)
Great lesson