Gamma decay
Gamma Decay
Gamma decay (pronunciation: /ˈɡæmə dɪˈkeɪ/) is a type of radioactive decay that involves the emission of a gamma ray from an unstable atomic nucleus.
Etymology
The term "gamma decay" originates from the Greek letter gamma (γ), which was used by early nuclear physicists to denote this type of decay, following the alpha (α) and beta (β) particles already defined.
Process
In gamma decay, the nucleus transitions from a higher energy state to a lower energy state through the emission of electromagnetic radiation. This process does not change the number of protons or neutrons in the nucleus, thus the parent and daughter atoms are of the same element.
Energy Release
The energy of the emitted gamma ray corresponds to the energy difference between the initial and final nuclear states. This energy is carried away by the gamma ray, resulting in the nucleus being left in a lower energy state.
Related Terms
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Gamma decay
- Wikipedia's article - Gamma decay
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