nuclear reactionsA nuclear reaction is a process such as fusion, fission, or radioactive decay (alpha, beta, gamma decay), in which there is a change or are changes in the nucleus of an atom.
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Fusion
http://www.atomicarchive.com/Fusion/Images/fusion.jpg
During fusion, nuclei come together to make a larger nucleus, resulting in an atom of a different element. So when two smaller nuclei fuse together to form a big nucleus, they form a nucleus of an atom of a different element. For fusion to occur, temperatures of about 100,000,000 degrees Celsius are need to fuse nuclei together successfully.
Fission
http://www.atomicarchive.com/Fission/Images/fission.jpg
Fission is the process in which a nucleus of an atom is split apart. Fission results in two atoms with smaller nuclei. Fission can happen spontaneously if a nucleus of an atom is unstable. It can also happen by shooting neutrons at the nucleus. Radiation is created during fission.
alpha decay
http://www.natickhighwebdesign.com/tyler/images/radioactivedecay.gif
In alpha decay, an alpha particle is released from the nucleus of an atom. An alpha particle is constructed of two protons and two neutrons. Since an alpha particle has two protons, it is the same as a nucleus of a helium atom. In alpha decay, an alpha particle carries two protons away from the nucleus of an atom. In the diagram to the left, the particle that is shown being released is the alpha particle. This changes the atom into a different element.
beta decay
http://www.daviddarling.info/images/beta-minus_decay.gif
In beta decay, an electron is released from the nucleus of an atom. The electron that is released is called a beta particle. Electrons do not exist by themselves in a nucleus. But in beta decay, a neutron splits into an electron and a proton. That electron is released but the proton stays in the nucleus. After beta decay, the nucleus of an atom has one less neutron and one more proton. This makes that atom a different element. Beta decay also may result in the release of gamma rays. Gamma rays are a kind of radiation that is like light, microwaves, and x-rays. The only difference is that gamma rays are more dangerous, they are much higher in energy.
gamma decay
http://library.thinkquest.org/3471/radiation_types_body.html
Gamma decay happens when there is too much energy in the nucleus of an atom. The nucleus lowers down to a lower energy. In this process of lowering in energy, the nucleus gives off a photon that is very high in energy. That photon is called a gamma particle.