1. Alpha and Beta Decay
-Both naturally occurring and human-made isotopes can be either stable or unstable
-Less stable isotopes of one element will undergo radioactive decay (or, fall apart) and transform to more stable isotopes of another element, which can also be either stable or radioactive

2. Alpha and Beta Decay
-when radioactive isotopes transform into more stable isotopes they emit particles from the nucleus.
(alpha radiation or α)
(beta radiation or β)
- gamma radiation: always emitted with alpha or beta
decay

3. Alpha and Beta Decay
-alpha decay produces other isotopes with two less protons and two less neutrons than the original isotope.

4. Alpha and Beta Decay
-beta decay produces elements with one more proton and one less neutron than the original.

5. Nuclear Chemistry Practice
See in-class handout