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Depending on the type of atom, a radioactive atom will decay by emitting an alpha particle (helium nucleus), proton, neutron, electron, or will split apart completely.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoIt happens all by itself,
and is not effected by external factors.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoRadioactivity is the release of energy and matter due to a change in the nucleus of an atom.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoThey decay
Wiki User
∙ 6y agodecay
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What are mass of unstable atoms?
Unstable atoms are said to be radioactive
Which atoms are least likely to be radioactive?
Generally, the smaller the nucleus, the less radioactive.
What is meant by a radioactive element?
A radioactive element is an element that readily undergoes nuclear decay - the nucleus spontaneously emits subatomic particles as the element changes into another element.
Which atoms will always be radioactive?
Almost all the lower elements in the periodic table will always be radioactive.
Isotopes with unstable nuclei are?
Unstable Isotopes will degrade through radioactive decay into other types of atoms. To break it down Unstable isotopes are those whose moleules break down to form new atoms and ions.
What is a process in which radium atoms spontaneously disintegrate without outside forces?
Radioactive disintegration (or decay)
When a material ejects particles or energy spontaneously it is?
radioactive :)
What can nuclear transmutation result from?
A radioactive atom can decay spontaneously, at a random moment. A transmutation can also be the result of an atom capturing some other particle, or nucleus - which can make certain types of atoms unstable.
Do radioactive atoms have different atomic weights than non radioactive atoms of the same element?
yes
When a mineral spontaneously decays into subatomic particles?
Radioactive decay is the process through which unstable atoms disintegrate and emit radiation until they attain a stable configuration. New elements with reduced atomic number are formed.
How do nuclear atoms differ from regular atoms?
All atoms are nuclear, in that they all have nuclei. Some atoms have unstable nuclei, making them radioactive. I'm afraid I have no idea what you mean by "nuclear atoms," unless you meant to say radioactive atoms, in which case the answer is "they have unstable nuclei and they're radioactive."
Are radioactive atoms stable?
No
What must occur before a radioactive atoms ceases to undergo further radioactive decay?
A stable, nonradioactive atom must be formed.
What is a stable isotope?
Stable isotopes are chemical isotopes that are not radioactive, meaning that they do not spontaneously undergo radioactive decay.
Are all atoms of actinides radioactive?
Yes. All of the actinides are radioactive.
What happens to atoms that are radioactive?
Its nucleus emits radioactive particles continuously.
What are mass of unstable atoms?
Unstable atoms are said to be radioactive
