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Radioactive decay involves the spontaneous transformation of one element into another. The only way that this can happen is by changing the number of protons in the nucleus (an element is defined by its number of protons). There are a number of ways that this can happen and when it does, the atom is forever changed.Nov 8, 2016
What is the main cause of radioactive decay?
It's basically a matter of thermodynamics. Every atom seeks to be as stable as possible. In the case of radioactive decay, instability occurs when there is an imbalance in the number of protons and neutrons in the atomic nucleus. Basically, there is too much energy inside the nucleus to hold all the nucleons together.
What is the process of radioactive decay?
Radioactive decay is the process in which the nuclei of radioactive atoms emit charged particles and energy, which are called by the general term radiation. Radioactive atoms have unstable nuclei, and when the nuclei emit radiation, they become more stable.
What causes radioactive decay quizlet?
The nucleus of an unstable isotope does not hold together well, it changes by releasing fast moving particles and energy in the process called radioactive decay.
What makes an atom decay?
Atoms don't age. Atoms radioactively decay when a lower-energy nuclear configuration exists to which they can transition. The actual decay event of an individual atom happens randomly and is not the result of the atom getting old or changing through time.
Does uranium become lead?
Uranium decays to lead via a series of alpha (and beta) decays, in which 238U with daughter nuclides undergo total eight alpha and six beta decays whereas 235U with daughters only experience seven alpha and four beta decays.
Why is radioactive decay first order?
Nuclear decay is an excellent example of a first order process. The rate of decay is simply proportional to the amount of the radioactive isotope. This is due to the fact that any isotope has the same chance of decaying at any given time.
Does radioactive decay occur naturally?
Generally speaking, there are two types of natural radioactive decays: alpha decays “which contain two neutrons and two protons” emitted from radon gas; additionally, nuclear decay by emission of photons (γ-decay).
What is radioactive decay quizlet?
Radioactive decay, also known as nuclear decay or radioactivity, is the process by which a nucleus of an unstable atom loses energy by emitting radiation. A material that spontaneously emits such radiation — which includes alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays and conversion electrons — is considered radioactive.
What happens during radioactive decay geology quizlet?
What happens during radioactive decay? Parent isotopes turn into daughter isotopes. What is the scientific definition of half-life? Two containers hold the same radioactive isotope.
