Nuclear isomer decay

Nuclear isomer decay involves a unstable form of an atom’s nucleus called an isomer, which has excess energy due to a different arrangement of protons and neutrons. This energy makes the isomer unstable, so it eventually releases its excess energy by emitting radiation, like gamma rays, to transform into a more stable state or a different nucleus. This decay process can take fractions of a second to years, and it helps the nucleus reach a lower energy, more stable configuration. Essentially, it's the atom's way of “shedding” extra energy to become more stable.