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physical phenomena > process > physical process > nuclear process > nuclear decay > alpha decay

alpha decay comparison table

Subject	is a kind of	has definition
nuclear decay	nuclear process
alpha decay	nuclear decay	Spontaneous emission by a heavier element (such as uranium) of positively charged helium nuclei - alpha particles - comprising 2 protons and 2 neutrons. The result of this radioactive decay is that the original element is very gradually converted into another element, with a decreased atomic number and mass. Alpha particle emission may be simultaneous with beta particle decay.

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