What type of radiation is produced during radioactive decay?

Radioactive decay is a process where unstable atomic nuclei lose energy by emitting radiation in the form of particles or electromagnetic waves. The types of radiation produced during this process can include alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays, which are all common forms associated with different decay mechanisms.

Alpha radiation consists of helium nuclei and is emitted from heavy, unstable elements. Beta radiation involves the emission of electrons or positrons from a nucleus, while gamma radiation consists of high-energy photons resulting from nuclear transitions. Each of these emissions represents a different mechanism of decay, and they can occur separately or in combination depending on the specific radioactive isotope and its mode of decay.

In contrast, the other options focus on more limited forms of radiation that do not encompass the full range of emissions associated with radioactive decay. Thus, the broad inclusion of alpha, beta, and gamma radiation accurately reflects the various types of emissions that can occur during radioactive decay.