Decay, Cyclotrons, Generators & Reactors

How radionuclides decay and how they are made — the physics behind the pharmacy, pitched for R2 boards.

1 Radioactive decay

Toggle a decay mode, study an example clinical nuclide, then trigger a decay event and watch the particle leave the nucleus. Side panel stays at R2 / ABR depth — mechanisms and the numbers that matter, not derivations.

Decay mode

β⁻ animation

Ra-223 α → Rn-219 · Z−2, A−4 Nucleus m
Events: 0

Select a mode, then trigger a decay to watch the transformation.

Proton Neutron Electron

2 How radionuclides are made

Toggle cyclotron, generator, or reactor. Click major parts for R2-level explanations, then play or click cascade steps to follow production. Tables list the board-relevant nuclides from each route.

Production method
Click a part · run the cascade
Product Ion source Magnet Dees / RF Dees Vacuum chamber Target Target Extract

Production cascade

Step through how a cyclotron turns a beam into a usable radionuclide.

Press Play or click any step to begin.

Cyclotron-produced radionuclides

Nuclide Reaction / parent Primary use Half-life

3 ABR-style self-check

Board-flavored questions on decay modes, production routes, generators, and classic traps. One at a time — explanations unlock after you answer.