GCSE PHYSICS - What happens when a Gamma Ray is Emitted from a Nucleus? - Nuclear Equations for Gamma Ray Emitters

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Gamma Rays from Radioactivity.

What happens when a Gamma Ray is Emitted from a Nucleus?

When a radioactive nucleus emits an alpha particle or
a beta particle, the protons and neutrons in the new nucleus
may not be in their most stable arrangement. The protons and
neutrons can rearrange themselves to become more stable
and in this process energy is emitted in the form of gamma rays.

Nuclear Equations for Gamma Ray Emitters.

Below are examples of nuclear equations where both
alpha and beta emitters give off gamma rays.

The nuclear equations above are balanced.

One form of protactinium-234 (chemical symbol Pa) is an example
of a radioactive nucleus which only emits gamma rays.

The gamma rays do not change the mass number or atomic number.

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