Question

What is gamma decay?

Answer 1

See explanation below.

Explanation:

There are many kinds of radioactive decays. Three of main kinds are:

1. `alpha` particle decay. In which one Helium nucleus `""_2^4"He"` is ejected from the unstable radioactive nucleus. The daughter nucleus has mass number of 4 less and atomic number 2 less.

2. `beta` particle decay. In this case either one electron `beta^-` is ejected. The daughter nucleus has same mass number and atomic number 1 more, or one positron `beta^+` is ejected. In this case the daughter nucleus has same mass number and atomic number 1 less.

3. `gamma` ray emission also called Gamma decay. In which excited nucleus releases a high-energy photon called `gamma` rays. The daughter nucleus is an isotope.

Unlike the other modes of radioactive decay, the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of the atom are not changed. Instead, the energy level of the atom is lowered by one to a stable state.

Another example is of gamma decay of Technetium-99m into Technetium-99, where 'm' stands for metastable, which in terms of an atom, ion or atomic nucleus, means that the atom is in an excited state:

`""_99^43m"Tc" ->""_99^43"Tc"+gamma`