Discuss the gamma decay process with example.

Explanation

(i) Here the asterisk`(""^(***))` means excited state nucleus.
(ii) In gamms decay, there is no change in the mass number or atomic number of the nucleus.
(iii) Boron `(""_(5)^(12)B)` has two beta decay modes.

(a) It undergoes beta decay directly into ground state carbon `(""_(6)^(12)C)` by emitting an electron of maximum of energy 13.4MeV.
(b) It undergoes beta decay to an excited state of carbon `(""_(6)^(12)C)` by emitting an electron of maximum energy 9.0 MeV followed by gamma decay to ground state by emitting a photon of energy 4.4 MeV.
It is represented by
`""_(5)^(12)Bto""_(6)^(12)C+e^(-)+barv`
`""_(6)^(12)Cto""_(6)^(12)C+gamma`