92 Questioning the Universe: Concepts in Physics
some increase the energy and others decrease it. So, there can be a delicate balance.
In some cases, the energy will be lower, with more instead of fewer protons.
This is a good example of the importance of questioning. If physicists did not
stop to question why a higher charge meant a more stable state, we might not have
understood an important aspect of the physics of the nucleus.
10.3.3 GAMMA DECAY
A gamma particle is electromagnetic radiation emitted from a nucleus. In this case,
a nucleus loses energy but does not change its atomic number or atomic weight. In
some cases, the nucleus has become excited because it has just undergone alpha or
beta decay. So to speak, it is happy with its “per ...