Atoms & Radioactive Decay on the MCAT: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Half-Life & PET Scans
Atoms & Radioactive Decay on the MCAT: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Half-Life & PET Scans  
Podcast: Jack Westin MCAT Podcast
Published On: Tue Apr 21 2026
Description: Alpha, beta minus, beta plus, gamma. Do you know which decay changes mass, which changes identity, and which changes nothing? In this Jack Westin MCAT Podcast episode, Mike and Molly finally cover the topic they've been putting off for over a year: atoms and radioactive decay. They build from the ground up, starting with atomic structure, isotopes, and stability, then walk through every type of decay and connect it all back to PET scans and carbon dating.Next episode: The limbic system, emotion, and stressGet started with our resources!📌 Success Advising (get clarity on where you are and on what support and resources are necessary for your success): https://calendly.com/academic-advising-4/jack-westin-academic-advising?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast💻 Try our Chrome Extension (expert solutions to every AAMC passage): https://tinyurl.com/4jw5pad8📚 Free QBANK: https://jackwestin.com/qbank/?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast🎓 Live Sessions: https://jackwestin.com/sessions?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast👨🏻‍🏫 Courses (guaranteed to improve your score): https://jackwestin.com/courses?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast🙋 Tutoring (guaranteed to improve your score): https://jackwestin.com/services/live-online-mcat-tutoring?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast