Radioactivity: α, β and γ decayरेडियोऐक्टिवता: α, β और γ क्षयRadioactivity: α, β and γ decay

NCERT Section 13.6 · Class 12 Physics · Chapter 13 · interactive diagram

Parts and what they mean

• Unstable (radioactive) nucleus (अस्थायी (रेडियोऐक्टिव) नाभिक) — A nucleus that decays on its own — no outside push needed. Radioactivity is a nuclear phenomenon.
• New (daughter) nucleus (नया (संतति) नाभिक) — After α or β decay the nucleus becomes a different element (α: Z − 2, A − 4; β⁻: Z + 1; β⁺: Z − 1; A unchanged in β).
• α-decay (α-क्षय) — A helium nucleus ⁴₂He (2 protons + 2 neutrons) is emitted.
• β-decay (β-क्षय) — An electron, or a positron (same mass as the electron, opposite charge), is emitted.
• Excited nucleus (उत्तेजित नाभिक) — A nucleus with extra energy drops to a lower energy state of the same nucleus.
• γ-decay (γ-क्षय) — High-energy photons (hundreds of keV or more) are emitted. Z and A do not change.

Original diagram drawn by Simple Learning Hub, based on NCERT Section 13.6. Report a mistake