After a radioactive nucleus decays, it often leaves behind a new radioactive nucleus, termed the daughter nucleus. This daughter then decays, often leaving behind another radioactive daughter. This ch...After a radioactive nucleus decays, it often leaves behind a new radioactive nucleus, termed the daughter nucleus. This daughter then decays, often leaving behind another radioactive daughter. This chain of daughter nuclei can get very complicated, as each nucleus typically has a different decay constant, may decay by a different process, and emits a radioactive particle of different energy.
