answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Yes. Naturally occurring radioactive isotopes decay naturally. They can be induced to decay more rapidly through neutron capture, but they will decay one way or the other. Among the commonly encountered, or commonly mentioned isotopes that do this are radon-222, which comes as a gas from many kinds of rocks and is found in the basements of some buildings, carbon-14, which is used for carbon dating, and potassiom-40, which is found in all living tissue.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Do radioactive elements decay naturally and release energy as they lose particales from their nuclei?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Are all actinids radioactive?

There are a total of 15 actinides in the actinide series and each are chemical elements with metallic properties. All of the actinide elements are radioactive and upon radioactive decay they release energy.


What is it when naturally unstable elements release particles from the nuclei and give off heat?

It is called radioactivity.


What are the particles called Radioactive elements release energy?

Nucleus that causes a neutron to change into a proton is called a beta particle.


What planets and celestial bodies seem to be radioactive?

Stars seem to be, but they don't have big and/or unstable atoms such as most radioactive elements have. They release sub atomic units when their atoms fuse, along with rays such as gamma rays, which is why they can seem to be similar to other radioactive things. Some planets with atmostpheres that are ionised by ionising rays can also be similar to radioactive things perhaps.


Why do some isotopes of elements spontaneously undergo radioactive decay?

Nuclei undergo radioactive decay in order to release some of the "stress" in the atom. At a certain point, the nucleus of an atom gets too large to sustain all of those protons and neutrons. When the "stress" is relieved, a phenomenon called radioactive decay occurs.


What term indicates the process in which unstable nuclide release radiation?

If it is related to Nuclear studies, then the answer would be fusion.


What causes radioactives pollution?

The release of radioactive substances in the atmosphere leads to radioactive pollution. Only the radioactive wastes cause the radioactive pollution. Nuclear material is pure and they are not the factor for causing radioactive pollution. The waste discarded improperly only causes radioactive pollution.The following causes the radioactive pollution in high rangeNuclear power plantsCoal fired power plantsUranium plantsThe above said power plants release radioactive wastes to the atmosphere. During their release or transportation of radioactive wastes, the radioactive pollution occurs.


How is radiation formed?

I not sure how the first radio active element was formed but when it release radiation it also release other radioactive elements. For example: the element actinium, radiates and releases thorium. thorium radiates and releases francium. all of these are radioactive elements.


What is the release of a helium atom involved in?

This is the alpha radioactive decay.


What is the radioactivity for lead?

The main lead isotopes 206Pb, 207Pb and 208Pb, are not radioactive. It does have traces of radioactive isotopes, but the quantity is so small that lead's radioactivity can be considered zero. It is however toxic if ingested.


Does coal burning power plants release radioactive waster?

While coal fired plants release particulates, carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide as major pollutants they also release radioactive materials which were contained in the coal as aerosols.


Do stable atoms release nuclear particles?

No. If they did, they would be radioactive and unstable.