MODES OF DECAY Alpha decay Alpha decay occurs when the nucleus ejects an alpha particle (helium nucleus).

This is the most common process of emitting nucleons, but in rarer types of decays, nuclei can eject protons, or specific nuclei of other elements (in the process called cluster decay). Beta decay ( decay) is a type of radioactive decay in which a beta particle (an electron or a positron) is emitted from an atomic nucleus. Beta decay is a process which allows the atom to obtain the optimal ratio of protons and neutrons. Beta decay is mediated by the weak force. There are two types: beta minus and beta plus. In the case of beta decay that produces an electron emission, it is referred to as beta minus (), while in the case of a positron emission as beta plus (+).

Electron capture Electron capture is a process in which a proton-rich nuclide absorbs an inner atomic electron, thereby changing a nuclear proton to a neutron and simultaneously causing the emission of an electron neutrino. Various photon emissions follow, as the energy of the atom falls to the ground state of the new nuclide. Electron capture is the primary decay mode for isotopes with a relative superabundance of protons in the nucleus, but with insufficient energy difference between the isotope and its prospective daughter (the isobar with one less positive charge) for the nuclide to decay by emitting a positron. Electron capture is an alternate decay mode for radioactive isotopes with sufficient energy to decay by positron emission. It is sometimes called inverse beta decay, though this term can also refer to the interaction of an electron antineutrino with a proton. Emission of a gamma ray from an excited nuclear state typically requires only 10 12 seconds, and is thus nearly instantaneous. Gamma decay from excited states may also follow reactions such as neutron capture, nuclear fission, or nuclear fusion.