Question

How does radioactive decay work?

Answer 1

The process in which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting out radiations is known as radioactive decay. Radioactive decay is also known as nuclear decay or radioactivity or radioactive disintegration or nuclear disintegration. The substance containing unstable nuclei is known as a radioactive substance.

Complete answer:
We know that the process in which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting out radiations is known as radioactive decay. The substance containing unstable nuclei is known as a radioactive substance.
The three most common types of radioactive decay are as follows:

1. Alpha decay: During alpha decay, alpha particles are emitted. They have two protons and two neutrons. One alpha particle is a helium nucleus. The mass of one alpha particle is $6.644 \times {10^{ - 24}}{\text{ g}}$. The charge on one alpha particle is $+ 2$.
2. Beta decay: During beta decay, beta particles are emitted. Beta radiations are electrons or positrons with high energy. The mass of one beta particle is $9.109 \times {10^{ - 28}}{\text{ g}}$. The charge on one beta particle is $- 1$.
3. Gamma decay: During gamma decay, gamma radiations are emitted. Gamma radiations do not consist of any particles and thus, gamma radiation does not have any mass or charge.
   During radioactive decay, one nucleus changes into the nucleus of one or more other elements. The atomic nucleus undergoing radioactive decay is known as the parent nucleus and the nuclei formed after radioactive decay are known as daughter nuclei.
   Thus, radioactive decay works by an unstable parent nucleus losing energy by emitting out radiations and forming stable daughter nuclei.

Note: Remember that alpha and beta radiations are particles and gamma radiation is light. The daughter nuclei formed during radioactive decay have lower mass than the parent nucleus and are more stable than the parent nucleus. The daughter nuclei are more stable because they have low energy.