is defined as

the phenomenon in which an unstable nucleusthe phenomenon in which an

unstable nucleusdisintegrates to acquire a more stable nucleus
withoutdisintegrates to acquire a more stable nucleus withoutabsorb an
external energyabsorb an external energy
.

The
disintegration is spontaneousdisintegration is spontaneous
and most commonlyinvolves the emission of an alpha particle (

OR ), abeta particle (

OR ) and gamma-ray (

OR ). Italso release an energy

Q
known as
disintegration energydisintegration energy