Question

Deffrentiate alpha decay,gamma decay,beta decay

Answer 1

Difference between Alpha, Beta and Gamma radioactive decay can be summarized as follows:

Alpha decay forms new element with two fewer protons and two fewer neutrons;

Beta decay forms new element with one more proton and one fewer neutron.

Gamma decay forms NO new element, but now the element has less energy because energy is released as gamma rays.

Gamma radiation has the highest penetration power, Beta decay goes the second, alpha decay the last. However, alpha particles make the most damage even if it has the lowest penetration power among the three.