Le 16/04/2011 12:09, Orchid XP v8 nous fit lire :
> So the radiation is actually *caused by* the substance decaying?

Indeed.
When the atom splits (a bit of paradox for the greek atom), it results
in two or more atoms and radiation (alpha, beta or/and gamma).
(as well as heat)

radiation alpha, beta & gamma are in fact: photon, electron or positron
and helium nucleus (in opposite order, gamma is a photon, alpha is helium)

There is also neutron radiation.

Radiation can be spontaneous (hence the half-life) or generated by a
collision with another atom/particule/radiation.

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