Nuclear instability (meaning instability of the nucleus of an atom) causes radioactive decay. This is a very complicated process, involving many subatomic particles (both fermions and bosons).
Unstable configurations of protons and neutrons in the nucleus causes most of it. A relatively rare cause is when in very massive atoms the innermost shell of electrons (the K shell) is compressed and distorted so that its probability cloud significantly overlaps the nucleus, permitting electrons to sometimes be captured by protons forming neutrons; this is a special form of beta decay called K capture.
The weak nuclear force is related to the various modes of beta decay: beta minus, beta plus, or electron capture. It mediates the effective change of a proton into a neutron or neutron into a proton.
Depends on the decay mechanism:
An unstable nucleus, which can be caused by:
the weak force
The radioactive decay of americium 241 is by alpha disintegration; the disintegration of radioactive krypton isotopes is by beta particles emission.
ernest Rutherford _______________________________________________________________ Radioactive decay was actually discovered in 1896 by Henri Bacquerel. Ernest Rutherford discovered the formula of radioactive decay (Such as the falk-life, differences between alpha and beta decay and even how the elements become new elements after the decay), but he did not discover the radioactive decay himself.
The rate of decay (activity) of a radioactive isotope is proportional to the number of atoms of the isotope present.
"The radioactive decay of certain unstable isotopes is used to calculate the age of objects."
To fully explain radioactive decay you need quantum mechanics.
The instability of the nuclei is the basic cause of radioactive decay.
radioactive
Radioactive Decay
Nuclear decay or radioactive bombardment.
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The decay of radioactive isotopes.The decay of radioactive isotopes.The decay of radioactive isotopes.The decay of radioactive isotopes.
Naturally occurring radioactive decay deep inside the Earth creates geothermal energy.
Radioactive decay may or may not involve electrons. There are different types of radioactive decay.
radioactive decay
The radioactive decay of americium 241 is by alpha disintegration; the disintegration of radioactive krypton isotopes is by beta particles emission.
when an isotope is it does not undergo radioactive decay
beta emmisions