Chemistry / Unit 12 Chem 2519 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Gamma Emission Changes Neither Mass Nor Atomic Number
Captions available
The idea
Gamma emission releases a high-energy photon as an excited nucleus relaxes to a lower energy state, changing neither mass number nor atomic number.
In practice
Cobalt-60 emits gamma radiation as its excited nucleus settles to its ground state, remaining cobalt-60 throughout.
Where people slip
Gamma emission alone never transmutes one element into another — it often accompanies alpha or beta decay, but alone changes only energy state.
Your place on the trail
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