What are the main differences between alpha and beta decay pleaseee help me!?
with alpha particle decay the unstable nucleus losses the equilivant of a helium-4 nucleus with beta particle decay the unstable nucleus emits 1 electron and 1 proton (the proton is formed from disintegration of part of the nucleus) check this out http://www.visionlearning.com/library/module_viewer.php?mid=59 The difference is that in radioactive decay, an unstable isotope spontaneously goes through a nuclear change. In nuclear fission, a fissionable isotope takes in a neutron, becomes unstable then fissions by breaking into a few pieces and releasing one or more neutrons plus some energy. Nuclear fission is usually thought of as intentionally caused.
