What is meant by nuclear decay?

Radioactive decay (also known as nuclear decay, radioactivity, radioactive disintegration or nuclear disintegration) is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by radiation. A material containing unstable nuclei is considered radioactive.

Is decay a reaction?

One type of a nuclear reaction is radioactive decay, a reaction in which a nucleus spontaneously disintegrates into a slightly lighter nucleus, accompanied by the emission of particles, energy, or both. An example is shown below, in which the nucleus of a polonium atom radioactively decays into a lead nucleus.

What is a nuclear reaction in simple terms?

Definition of nuclear reaction physics. : a process in which the nucleus of an atom is changed by being split apart or joined with the nucleus of another atom.

What is the difference between radioactive decay and nuclear transmutation?

Transmutation through radioactive decay is a natural process that occurs spontaneously. Transmutation through nuclear reactions does not have to be spontaneous and can be used in synthesis reactions to create new elements.

What is an example of nuclear decay?

For example, uranium-238 decays into thorium-234 by the emission of an alpha particle (see figure below). Figure 11.4. 3: The unstable uranium-238 nucleus spontaneously decays into a thorium-234 nucleus by emitting an alpha particle.

Why is nuclear decay important?

Radioactive decay is very important for a wide range of human activities, from medicine to electricity production and beyond, and also to astronomers.

What is the difference between alpha decay and beta decay?

Alpha decay forms new element with two fewer protons and two fewer neutrons; Beta decay forms new element with one more proton and one fewer neutron.

What is the difference between radioactive and nuclear?

The rays themselves are called nuclear radiation. A nucleus that spontaneously destroys part of its mass to emit radiation is said to decay (a term also used to describe the emission of radiation by atoms in excited states). A substance or object that emits nuclear radiation is said to be radioactive.

What are the two types of transmutation?

Transmutation or nuclear transmutation is a process that involves a change in the nucleus of an atom. When the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom changes, the identity of that atom changes as it is turned into another element or isotope. This transmutation process can be either natural or artificial.

How do you identify nuclear decay?

In terms of decay types, beta decay is predicted by looking at an isotope’s neutron to proton ratio. Alpha decay will occur frequently in elements with atomic numbers greater than 83, and gamma decay will occur when a nucleus is an excited state.

What is the difference between nuclear reaction and radioactive decay?

A nuclear reaction is when external particles hit the nucleus and cause it to split up. Radioactive decay has its origin primarily within the nucleus as it gives up alpha, beta, and gamma particles.

What is a nuclear reaction in chemistry?

A nuclear reaction is an interaction between the nucleus and some other particle that collides with it. One of the more familiar reactions is fission, in which a neutron (or another particle such as a photon) destabilizes the nucleus of an element and causes it to fragment.

How is nuclear fission related to alpha decay?

Fission in some ways is related to alpha particle decay; both are driven by the Coulomb repulsion of the many protons in a large nucleus, which eventually becomes too great for the strong nuclear force to overcome. The Coulomb energy of an unstable nucleus can be reduced by reducing the nuclear charge.

What happens to the nucleus during spontaneous nuclear fission?

Spontaneous fission is pretty radical way to decay. It releases huge amount of energy and leaves (mostly two) major “pieces” left from the previous nuclei. It’s possible that some nucleons escape during the fission. Also it’s possible nucleus will decay in three or more pieces but it’s very unlikely.