Examples of decay in the following topics:
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- Radioactive decay series describe the decay of different discrete radioactive decay products as a chained series of transformations.
- Radioactive decay series, or decay chains, describe the radioactive decay of different discrete radioactive decay products as a chained series of transformations.
- Most radioactive elements do not decay directly to a stable state; rather, they undergo a series of decays until eventually a stable isotope is reached.
- A parent isotope is one that undergoes decay to form a daughter isotope.
- While the decay of a single atom occurs spontaneously, the decay of an initial population of identical atoms over time, $t$, follows a decaying exponential distribution, $e^{-t}$, where $\lambda$ is called the decay constant.
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- Beta decay is a type of radioactive decay in which a beta particle (an electron or a positron) is emitted from an atomic nucleus.
- There are two types of beta decay.
- Beta decay is mediated by the weak force.
- A beta-stable nucleus may undergo other kinds of radioactive decay (for example, alpha decay).
- The inset shows beta decay of a free neutron
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- Gamma decay is a process of emission of gamma rays that accompanies other forms of radioactive decay, such as alpha and beta decay.
- Gamma decay accompanies other forms of decay, such as alpha and beta decay; gamma rays are produced after the other types of decay occur.
- For example, cobalt-60 decays to excited nickel-60 by beta decay through emission of an electron of 0.31 MeV.
- Path of decay of Co-60 to Ni-60.
- Explain relationship between gamma decay and other forms of nuclear decay.
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- The half-life is a parameter for the rate of decay that is related to the decay constant by: ${t}_{\frac{1}{2}}=\frac{ln2}{\lambda}$ .
- Radioactive decay is a random process at the single-atom level; is impossible to predict exactly when a particular atom will decay.
- However, the chance that a given atom will decay is constant over time.
- The equation indicates that the decay constant λ has units of t-1.
- The half-life is related to the decay constant.
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- Radioactivity is one very frequent example of exponential decay.
- Particular radionuclides decay at different rates, so each has its own decay constant, λ.
- A quantity undergoing exponential decay.
- This plot shows decay for decay constants of 25, 5, 1, 1/5, and 1/25 for x from 0 to 5.
- Apply the equation Nt=N0e−λt in the calculation of decay rates and decay constants
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- Alpha decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle that consists of two protons and two neutrons, as shown in .
- Alpha decay is the most common cluster decay because of the combined extremely high binding energy and relatively small mass of the helium-4 product nucleus (the alpha particle).
- Alpha decay typically occurs in the heaviest nuclides.
- Alpha decay is one type of radioactive decay.
- Many other types of decay are possible.
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- It is based on a comparison between the observed abundance of a naturally occurring radioactive isotope and its decay products, using known decay rates.
- After one half-life has elapsed, one half of the atoms of the nuclide in question will have decayed into a "daughter" nuclide, or decay product.
- A 100 g sample of Cs-137 is allowed to decay.
- Each parent nuclide spontaneously decays into a daughter nuclide (the decay product) via an α decay or a β decay.
- The final decay product, lead-208 (208Pb), is stable and can no longer undergo spontaneous radioactive decay.
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- Radioactive decay occurs when an unstable atomic nucleus emits particles or light waves.
- Alpha decay is seen only in heavier elements greater than atomic number 52, tellurium.
- The other two types of decay are seen in all of the elements.
- Alpha decay occurs because the nucleus of a radioisotope has too many protons.
- Examples of this can be seen in the decay of americium (Am) to neptunium (Np).
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- Exponential decay is the result of a function that decreases in proportion to its current value.
- The exponential decay of the substance is a time-dependent decline and a prime example of exponential decay.
- It can also be conveniently inserted into the exponential decay formula as follows:
- Below is a graph highlighting exponential decay of a radioactive substance.
- Use the exponential decay formula to calculate how much of something is left after a period of time
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- Most odd-odd nuclei are highly unstable with respect to beta decay because the decay products are even-even and therefore more strongly bound, due to nuclear pairing effects.
- During this process, the radionuclide is said to undergo radioactive decay.
- Radioactive decay results in the emission of gamma rays and/or subatomic particles such as alpha or beta particles, as shown in .
- Alpha decay is one type of radioactive decay.
- Many other types of decay are possible.