Question

What causes nuclear decay?

Answer 1

unstable nuclei cause nuclear decay. When an atom has too many protons or neutrons compared to the other , it will decay by two types, alpha and beta , deoending on the case.

If the atom is light - weight and has not too many protons and neutrons it is likely to undergo beta decay

If the atom is heavy , like the super heavy elements they are likely to undergo alpha decay to remove both protons and neutrons .

In alpha decay , a neuclius emits out an alpha particle or a helium-4 nuclius which decreases its mass number by 4 and proton number by 2.