Editing 2860: Decay Modes
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
+ | {{incomplete|Created by a CHERNOBYLISED MUSHROOM GROWING ON A DEAD <sup>294</sup>Og ATOM - Please change this comment when editing this page. The title explained. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}} | ||
{{w|radioactive decay|Decay modes}} refer to the different ways in which unstable atomic nuclei transform into more stable ones, typically by emitting particles or radiation. The process of decay is a natural phenomenon that occurs in radioactive substances. There are several types of decay mode each characterized by the particles emitted or the energy released during the process. | {{w|radioactive decay|Decay modes}} refer to the different ways in which unstable atomic nuclei transform into more stable ones, typically by emitting particles or radiation. The process of decay is a natural phenomenon that occurs in radioactive substances. There are several types of decay mode each characterized by the particles emitted or the energy released during the process. | ||
In the comic's diagram, protons are white and neutrons are gray. | In the comic's diagram, protons are white and neutrons are gray. | ||
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In '''{{w|gamma decay}}''', an unstable nucleus (represented by the lumpy, prolate nucleus in the diagram – representing a high-energy {{w|nuclear isomer}}) emits a high-energy photon known as a {{w|gamma ray}} and settles into a stabler, lower-energy state. | In '''{{w|gamma decay}}''', an unstable nucleus (represented by the lumpy, prolate nucleus in the diagram – representing a high-energy {{w|nuclear isomer}}) emits a high-energy photon known as a {{w|gamma ray}} and settles into a stabler, lower-energy state. | ||
− | In '''{{w|electron capture}}''', a proton-rich atom | + | In '''{{w|electron capture}}''', a proton-rich atom slurps an electron from the K or L electron shell. This converts a proton into a neutron and emits an electron neutrino. No 'slurp' sound is actually present in a real electron capture event. {{Citation needed}} |
In '''{{w|positron emission}}''', or beta plus decay, a proton-rich nucleus emits a W⁺ boson, converting one proton into a neutron. The boson, in turn, decays into a positron (the beta plus particle) and an electron neutrino. Again, the main diagram shows only the beta particle, presumably for simplicity, the nucleon conversion being shown separately. This is much rarer than beta minus decay. | In '''{{w|positron emission}}''', or beta plus decay, a proton-rich nucleus emits a W⁺ boson, converting one proton into a neutron. The boson, in turn, decays into a positron (the beta plus particle) and an electron neutrino. Again, the main diagram shows only the beta particle, presumably for simplicity, the nucleon conversion being shown separately. This is much rarer than beta minus decay. | ||
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'''Electron wilt''': The electrons surrounding the atom fall to the ground. Some plants are subject to diseases that cause this kind of wilting of their leaves. Electrons will attempt to settle into a 'ground state' but this does not involve them literally slumping to the ground, rather they will be as close as possible to the nucleus subject to the limitations of energy levels and the Pauli exclusion principle. In addition, since the ground is made of atoms, there would be no flat surface for the electrons to fall onto. | '''Electron wilt''': The electrons surrounding the atom fall to the ground. Some plants are subject to diseases that cause this kind of wilting of their leaves. Electrons will attempt to settle into a 'ground state' but this does not involve them literally slumping to the ground, rather they will be as close as possible to the nucleus subject to the limitations of energy levels and the Pauli exclusion principle. In addition, since the ground is made of atoms, there would be no flat surface for the electrons to fall onto. | ||
− | '''One | + | '''One big nucleon''': The protons and neutrons combine to form a single huge baryon. {{w|Exotic baryon|Exotic baryons}} with more than the usual three quarks, such as {{w|pentaquarks}}, have been created in the lab but are not known to exist in nature. String theorists propose that black holes are actually {{w|Fuzzball (string theory)|fuzzballs}}, single "subatomic" particles which are macroscopic in size (namely that of their event horizon) formed by the fusion of the strings of in-falling matter under extreme gravitational conditions. |
'''Fungal decay''': The nucleus rots, and fungal fruiting bodies (toadstools and mushrooms) grow around it. This plays on the meaning of "decay". | '''Fungal decay''': The nucleus rots, and fungal fruiting bodies (toadstools and mushrooms) grow around it. This plays on the meaning of "decay". | ||
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:[A nucleus absorbs one of its electrons along with a small sound effect.] | :[A nucleus absorbs one of its electrons along with a small sound effect.] | ||
− | :Electron | + | :Electron decay |
:Nucleus: Slurp | :Nucleus: Slurp | ||