Intro to Applied Nuclear Physics
Gamma decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an unstable atomic nucleus releases energy in the form of gamma rays, resulting in a transition to a lower energy state without changing the number of protons or neutrons in the nucleus. This process often occurs after other types of decay, like alpha or beta decay, when the daughter nucleus remains in an excited state and needs to release excess energy. Understanding gamma decay is essential for grasping the broader concept of radioactive decay, how it fits into decay chains, and its implications for decay energy and Q-value calculations.
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