undergo decay or decomposition; "The body started to decay and needed to be cremated"
When a radioactive atom disintegrates it is said to decay What remains is a different element An atom of polonium decays to form lead, ejecting an alpha particle in the process
A process in which a particle disappears and in its place two or more different particles appear The sum of the masses of the produced particles is always less than the mass of the original particle
Any process in which a particle disappears and in its place two or more different particles appear More Information: Decays, Radioactive Decays
The spontaneous disintegration of the nucleus of an unstable atom, resulting in the emission of particles and energy
Decrease in activity of a radioactive substance due to the disintegration of an atomic nucleus resulting in the release of alpha or beta particles or gamma radiation
Any process in which a particle disappears and in its place two or more different particles appear
If something such as a society, system, or institution decays, it gradually becomes weaker or its condition gets worse. Popular cinema seems to have decayed Decay is also a noun. There are problems of urban decay and gang violence. tooth decay alpha decay beta decay gamma decay
The breakdown of organic matter into simpler compounds due to the digestive action of microorganisms such as bacteria or other decomposers
When something such as a dead body, a dead plant, or a tooth decays, it is gradually destroyed by a natural process. The bodies buried in the fine ash slowly decayed The ground was scattered with decaying leaves. = rot Decay is also a noun. When not removed, plaque causes tooth decay and gum disease. + decayed de·cayed decayed teeth. = rotten
The decrease in activity of any radioactive material with the passage of time due to the spontaneous emission from the atomic nuclei of either alpha or beta particles, sometimes accompanied by gamma radiation See Half-life, Radioactivity
Change of an element into a different element, usually with some other particle(s) and energy emitted
one of the four basic stages of an envelope Refers to the time the sound takes to settle into its sustain level