#xkcd 2860

[todays-xkcd]

Unlike an Iron Age collapse, a Bronze Age collapse releases energy, since copper and tin are past the iron peak on the curve of binding energy.

Decay Modes [Expained]

Transcript Under the Cut

Radioactive Decay Modes

[A chart of labelled drawings of various radioactive decay modes, some real and some ficticious.]

[An unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle.] Alpha Decay

[A neutron-rich neucleus emits a W- boson. Underneath is a drawing of a neutron turnt into electron.] Beta Decay

[An unstable nucleus emits a gamma ray.] Gamma Decay

[A proton-rich atom absorbs an electron from an electron shell and emits an electron neutrino. Underneath is a drawing of a proton converted into a neutron.] Electron Capture

[A proton-rich nucleus emits a W+ boson. Underneath is a drawing of a neutron turnt into a positron.] Positron Emission

[A neutron-rich/proton-deficient unstable nucleus emits a neutron.] Neutron Emission

[All the subatomic particles burst from the atom simultaneously.] Baryon Panic

[The atom is imploded by a skull, cracking the surrounding area and sending neutrons and protons flying off.] Omega Decay

[Electrons around the atom fall to the ground.] Electron Wilt

[Protons and nuetrons combine to make a single huge baryon.] One Big Nucleon

[The nucleus rots with mushrooms growing out from it.] Fungal Decay

[The atom floats on water, with boats on either side full of tiny people shooting arrows at it.] Collapse Due to Invasion by the Sea Peoples