BRAINCAKERadioactive Decay
Some naturally occurring isotopes are unstable and spontaneously emit alpha or beta radiation in order to gain stability. This is often accompanied by the emission of gamma-rays.
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Key terms in this lesson
- Nucleon
- A neutron or a proton; either type of particle found in the nucleus of an atom.
- Isotope
- An atom of an element with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons compared with another atom of the same element.
- Beta particle
- A fast-moving electron (beta-minus) or positron (beta-plus) emitted from the nucleus when a neutron changes into a proton, or a proton changes into a neutron, during beta decay.
- Gamma radiation
- High-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted from an unstable nucleus, usually following alpha or beta decay, when the nucleus loses excess energy.
More in Particles and Radiation
- Isotopes
- Specific Charge
- The Strong Nuclear Force
- Forces in the Nucleus
- Alpha Radiation
- Beta Radiation
- Gamma Radiation and Electromagnetic Waves
- The Electron Volt
All 22 lessons in Particles and Radiation · All AQA AS-level Physics topics