How is nuclear radiation produced? What are 3 types of radioactive decay and how do they work?

Thanks!

Here is a site that talks in general terms about decay. Scroll down to the menu, see #4, types of decay, click on that for particulars.

Nuclear radiation is produced through a process called radioactive decay. It occurs when the nucleus of an unstable atom spontaneously undergoes a transformation, releasing energy in the form of radiation.

There are three types of radioactive decay:

1. Alpha Decay: In alpha decay, an unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle. An alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons, which is essentially a helium nucleus. During alpha decay, the atomic number decreases by 2, and the mass number reduces by 4. This process reduces the overall stability of the nucleus.

2. Beta Decay: Beta decay involves the emission of a beta particle. There are two types of beta decay: beta-minus decay (β-) and beta-plus decay (β+). In beta-minus decay, a neutron in the nucleus is converted into a proton, resulting in the emission of an electron and an antineutrino. The atomic number increases by 1, while the mass number remains unchanged. In beta-plus decay, a proton in the nucleus is transformed into a neutron, releasing a positron and a neutrino. The atomic number decreases by 1, while the mass number remains constant.

3. Gamma Decay: Gamma decay occurs when an excited nucleus emits a gamma ray, which is a high-energy electromagnetic wave. Unlike alpha and beta decay, gamma decay does not involve a change in atomic or mass numbers. Instead, it releases excess energy from an excited nucleus following previous radioactive decay processes.

To better understand these types of decay, you can use resources such as textbooks, scientific articles, or educational websites dedicated to nuclear physics. These sources provide detailed explanations, diagrams, and examples to help grasp the concepts associated with nuclear radiation and the different types of radioactive decay.