Why does gamma decay occur?

1 Answer
Jan 14, 2018

Because of radioactive decay

Explanation:

Radioactive decay occurs when an unstable nucleus of an isotope (an atom with the same atomic number but a different relative atomic mass of another atom) begins to break-up and alter it's structure.

During this 'break-up', large amounts of energy are released. Gamma Rays are just simply 'bits' of this energy. They exist as VERY high energy waves.