Α-decay

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-000240",
  "term": "Α-decay",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A form of radioactive disintegration where an unstable atomic nucleus spontaneously transforms by emitting an alpha particle. This process reduces the atomic number of the parent nucleus by two and its mass number by four, resulting in a new element. It is a common decay mode for very heavy radionuclides, such as uranium-238.",
  "synonyms": [
    "alpha-decay"
  ],
  "subject": "Analytical Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "radioactive decay",
    "α-particle"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1982, 54, 1533. 'Glossary of terms used in nuclear analytical chemistry (Provisional)' on page 1535 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac198254081533)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/a-decay/"
}