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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).
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∙ 11y ago
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∙ 9y agoUnstable 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.
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∙ 8y agoThe 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.
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∙ 10y agoDepends on the decay mechanism:
- alpha, strong & electromagnetic
- beta, weak
- gamma, electromagnetic
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∙ 10y agoAn unstable nucleus, which can be caused by:
- excess of neutrons
- shortage of neutrons
- metastable excited state of nucleus
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∙ 11y ago- Strong force : Alpha & Gamma
- Weak force : Beta
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∙ 12y agothe weak force
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How is the radioactive decay of Krypton different from the radioactive decay of Americium?
The radioactive decay of americium 241 is by alpha disintegration; the disintegration of radioactive krypton isotopes is by beta particles emission.
Who discovered radioactive decay in 1898?
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.
What is the radioactive decay law?
The rate of decay (activity) of a radioactive isotope is proportional to the number of atoms of the isotope present.
What is necessary for you to be able to explain what happens during radioactive decay?
To fully explain radioactive decay you need quantum mechanics.
Use the term radioactive decay in a sentence?
"The radioactive decay of certain unstable isotopes is used to calculate the age of objects."
What causes nuclear decay?
The instability of the nuclei is the basic cause of radioactive decay.
What king of decay causes geothermal heat?
radioactive
What causes heat in center of earth?
Radioactive Decay
What causes transmutation?
Nuclear decay or radioactive bombardment.
What is the source of heat in the Earth's interior?
The decay of radioactive isotopes.The decay of radioactive isotopes.The decay of radioactive isotopes.The decay of radioactive isotopes.
What is the source of heat in the Earth interior?
The decay of radioactive isotopes.The decay of radioactive isotopes.The decay of radioactive isotopes.The decay of radioactive isotopes.
What decay causes geothermal energy?
Naturally occurring radioactive decay deep inside the Earth creates geothermal energy.
Radioactive decay do not involve electrons?
Radioactive decay may or may not involve electrons. There are different types of radioactive decay.
When radioactive isotopes break down into other elements the process is called?
radioactive decay
How is the radioactive decay of Krypton different from the radioactive decay of Americium?
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 blank it does not undergo radioactive decay?
when an isotope is it does not undergo radioactive decay
What type of radioactive decay causes the radionuclide to become an element with a higher atomic number?
beta emmisions
