ABSTRACT
Given that there is some binding energy in a nucleus, it is perhaps not surprising that nuclei can decay. This decay happens when it is energetically favorable, i.e. when energy can be extracted in the decay. As a nucleus decays from one isotope to another it moves up the curve of binding energy and energy is released. There are different decay modes depending on whether a nucleus is relatively neutron-rich. The chapter describes the various decays modes, the products that emerge after decay, and their energies. It discusses beta-minus decay which occurs in neutron-rich nuclei. Beta-plus decay is relevant for neutron-poor nuclei. In beta-plus decay a proton is lost and a neutron is gained and a beta-plus particle is produced. Some nuclei, particularly very heavy ones, undergo alpha decay. Another nuclear decay mode is isomeric transition in which a nucleus in an excited state transitions to the ground state and a photon is emitted.
