Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Radioactive decay is a spontaneous process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation in the form of particles or electromagnetic waves.
Related terms
Alpha Decay: A type of radioactive decay where an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle and transforms into a new element.
Beta Decay: This is another type of radioactive decay where a neutron turns into a proton and emits an electron or positron plus a neutrino.
Gamma Decay: In this type of radioactive decay, an excited nucleus releases excess energy as a photon in the gamma-ray part of the electromagnetic spectrum.