Gamma Decay (AQA GCSE Physics: Combined Science)

• During gamma decay, a gamma ray is emitted from an unstable nucleus
• The process that makes the nucleus less energetic but does not change its structure

Gamma decay does not affect the mass number or the atomic number of the radioactive nucleus, but it does reduce the energy of the nucleus

• The gamma ray that is emitted has a lot of energy, but no mass or charge
• Here is an example of Uranium-238 undergoing gamma decay
  • Notice that the mass number and atomic number of the unstable nuclei remains the same during the decay

Although the Uranium nucleus is unchanged in structure, its energy reduces during gamma decay