As only one or more neutrons are lost the atom does not transmute into a different element but becomes a different isotope of the original element. It can occur in nuclei that are neutron rich/proton poor. Neutron emission is a decay process where one or more neutrons are ejected from a nucleus. It is more likely to occur in artificially produced elements such as plutonium-240, curium-250 and californium-252.
#Difference between electron capture and positron emission series
Spontaneous fission does occur rarely in the naturally occurring radioactive decay series for thorium-232, uranium-235 and uranium-238. These neutrons may induce a nuclear fission chain reaction if there is enough fissile material present. The results of spontaneous fission are the same as that for induced fission, with the element splitting into two lighter nuclei and releasing neutrons in the process. Spontaneous fission occurs as a result of quantum tunnelling without the atom having to be struck by a neutron. It is different to the nuclear fission that occurs in a nuclear reactor which is induced by neutron bombardment of the fuel.
Spontaneous fission can occur only in very heavy elements with an atomic mass number greater than 92. Alpha, beta and gamma radiation are the most common types of radioactive decay but there are other ways that unstable atoms can become stable.
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