Gamma decay
What Gamma decay?
Gamma decay occurs most frequently after alpha or beta decay. After decaying, the nucleus of the atom is excited so it drops to a to a lower energy state and gamma rays are produced.
What is a gamma ray?
A gamma ray is a release of energy from the nucleus.
What properties of the atom change?
The decay releases energy, not particles, so no properties of the atom change.
Example:
(following beta decay)
* atom has excess energy