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Gamma Rays from Radioactive Decay.
When a radioactive nucleus emits an
a-particle or a b-particle
the protons
and neutrons
in the new nucleus
may not be in their most stable
form.
The protons and neutrons can rearrange themselves to become more stable
and in this process energy is
emitted in the form of gamma rays.
Below are examples of both a and b emitters which give off g-rays.
The nuclear
equations are balanced.
The g-rays
do not affect the mass or atomic
numbers.
Pa
(protactinium)-234 is an
example of a radioactive nucleus
which only emits g-rays.
Headings Radioactivity Search
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Copyright © 2008 Dr. Colin France. All Rights Reserved.