Editing 2860: Decay Modes
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | {{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 | + | {{incomplete|Created by an EXTANT MODE OF DECAY - Please change this comment when editing this page. 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 modes, 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. | ||
The first six modes are real, and most occur relatively frequently: | The first six modes are real, and most occur relatively frequently: | ||
− | In '''{{w|alpha decay}}''', an unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle, composed of two protons and two neutrons. Alpha decay is the primary source of helium on | + | In '''{{w|alpha decay}}''', an unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle, composed of two protons and two neutrons. Alpha decay is the primary source of helium on earth, as alpha particles are helium-4 nuclei. |
− | In '''{{w|beta decay}}''' (more properly beta-minus decay), a neutron-rich nucleus emits a W⁻ boson, converting one neutron into a proton | + | In '''{{w|beta decay}}''' (more properly beta-minus decay), a neutron-rich nucleus emits a W⁻ boson, converting one neutron into a proton — as shown in the diagram — which in turn decays into an electron (the titular beta (minus) particle) and an electron antineutrino. The diagram shows only the beta particle, which was the only thing expelled from the nucleus that could be observed directly when the types of nuclear decay were first described and enumerated. |
− | In '''{{w|gamma decay}}''', an unstable nucleus (represented by the lumpy, prolate nucleus in the diagram | + | In '''{{w|gamma decay}}''', an unstable nucleus (represented by the lumpy, prolate nucleus in the diagram -- standing for a high-energy {{w|nuclear isomer}}) emits a high-energy photon known as a 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 produced in real electron capture event.{{citation needed}} |
− | In '''{{w|positron emission}}''', or beta plus decay, a proton-rich nucleus emits a | + | In '''{{w|positron emission}}''', or beta plus decay, a proton-rich nucleus emits a W+ boson, converting one proton into a neutron, which in turn decays into a positron, the beta plus particle, and an electron neutrino. Again, the diagram shows only the beta particle, presumably for simplicity. This is much rarer than beta minus decay. |
In '''{{w|neutron emission}}''', a neutron-rich/proton-deficient unstable nucleus emits a neutron (which then goes on to decay into further daughter particles). | In '''{{w|neutron emission}}''', a neutron-rich/proton-deficient unstable nucleus emits a neutron (which then goes on to decay into further daughter particles). | ||
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The other six modes are fictional: | The other six modes are fictional: | ||
− | '''Baryon panic''': In this mode, all the subatomic particles flee the atom simultaneously, similar to a crowd fleeing a building during a fire alarm, or other similar states of panic in people. In reality, this mode of decay would require an incredible amount of energy. The like charges of protons do repel each other, but they are held together more tightly by the residual {{w|nuclear force}} in the presence of neutrons. | + | '''Baryon panic''': In this mode, all the subatomic particles flee the atom simultaneously, similar to a crowd fleeing a building during a fire alarm, or other similar states of panic in people. In reality, this mode of decay would require an incredible amount of energy. The like charges of protons do repel each other, but they are held together more tightly by the residual {{w|nuclear force}} in the presence of neutrons. |
− | '''Omega decay''': The atom has decayed and left behind a skull in its wake, leaving cracks in the area surrounding it and | + | '''Omega decay''': The atom has decayed and left behind a skull in its wake, leaving cracks in the area surrounding it and send neutrons and protons flying everywhere. Whereas ''alpha'', ''beta'', ''gamma'' are the first three letters of the Greek alphabet, ''omega'' is the last, so the name ''omega'' might suggest the ultimate, final decay. The skull presumably represents the finality of such a decay, given that the end stage of human decay leaves behind a skeleton, something that does not exist in nucleons.{{citation needed}} Many works of science fiction propose forms of radiation and/or particles with further letters in the Greek alphabet, such as {{w|The Omega Directive}} in Star Trek. In real life, the {{w|omega baryon}} was predicted to exist by Murray Gell-Mann's early quark theory, and then discovered several years later with the properties he had predicted. |
− | '''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 | + | '''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. |
− | '''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". | ||
− | '''Collapse due to invasion by the Sea Peoples''': The atom floats in water, with boats on either side full of Cueballs shooting arrows at it, and the atom is breaking up. The {{w|Sea Peoples}} are a somewhat mysterious group that attacked Egypt | + | '''Collapse due to invasion by the Sea Peoples''': The atom floats in water, with boats on either side full of Cueballs shooting arrows at it, and the atom is breaking up. The {{w|Sea Peoples}} are a somewhat mysterious group that attacked Egypt in the late Bronze Age (1200-900 BCE) and are associated with a widespread societal collapse around the central and eastern Mediterranean. |
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==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}} | {{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}} | ||
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{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
[[Category:Chemistry]] | [[Category:Chemistry]] | ||
[[Category:Physics]] | [[Category:Physics]] |