9. Alpha, Beta and Gamma decay

The decay of Uranium ($U^{238}$) to Thorium ($Th^{234}$) with the emission of an alpha particle.

 

 

As the parent nucleus emits an $α -\ particle$ during the decay, it is evident that the mass number of the daughter nucleus reduces by four and the atomic number decreases by two.

 

Beta decay of phosphorous is a good example.

 

In $β-\ decay$, the atomic number increases by one, but there is no change in the mass number of the daughter nucleus.

 

In gamma decay, only the energy level of the radioactive nucleus changes, but the atomic number and mass number remains the same.

 

  

In radioactive decay, both $α$-decay and $β$-decay never take place together in a single process. Either $α$-decay or $β$-decay occurs along with the emission of $γ$ particles.