43
The two types of nuclear reactions are nuclear decay (Fig. 1.27) reactions and
nuclear transmutation (Fig.  1.28) reactions. In a nuclear decay (or radioactive
decay), an unstable nucleus emits radiation and is changed into the nucleus of one
or more other elements. In a nuclear transmutation, a nucleus reacts with another
nucleus or subatomic particle to form a product nucleus that is bigger than the starting material.
Alpha Decay
Parent
Alpha Particle
Beta Decay
Offspring
Beta Particle
Positron
Positron
Electron Capture
Parent
Offspring
Electron
x -ray
Gamma emission
Parent
Offspring
Gamma ray
Parent
(Unstable)
Offspring
Neutron
s
Spontaneous
(Excited Nuclear
State)
Fig. 1.27 Common types of nuclear decay
1.10 Nuclear Chemistry