What do radioactive isotopes have?

Answer 1

Radioactive elements are just like the other elements. They are made of neutrons, protons, and electrons. The only real difference is that they radiate matter in the form of Alpha particles (Helium nuclei, more specifically the Helium isotope with an Atomic Mass of four [2 Protons, 2 Neutrons]), Beta positive (positrons), and Beta negative (electrons) particles. An atom emits an Alpha particle when the ratio of neutrons to protons in its nucleus is too low. This eventually stabilizes the atom, causing it to become a smaller element. Alpha radiation/emission has the highest ionizing strength of the two forms of particle emission, but also does the worst at penetration, being possible to stop with a mere sheet of paper. Beta radiation/emission occurs when an atom has an excess of a particular nucleonic particle. Positive Beta emission occurs when an atom has an excess protons. It resolves this problem by turning the extra protons into neutrons by means of emitting a positron (the polar opposite of an electron) and an electron-type neutrino. Negative Beta emission occurs when an atom has an excess of neutrons. It solves this by converting the extra neutrons into protons. In doing this, it emits an electron (the polar opposite of an electron) and an electron-type anti-neutrino. Beta radiation doesn't have as strong an ionizing power as Alpha radiation, but it has a greater penetrating strength, requiring that a minimum of a sheet of aluminum be used to prevent it from going to someplace unwanted. Then, there are really dangerous radioactive atoms. The kind that emit Gamma rays. Gamma rays radiate from atoms when they make a dramatic shift in energy states in an incredibly short amount of time by emitting photons. Gamma radiation has the highest ionizing power of all forms of radiation and also has the strongest penetrating force, so strong that not even a whole wall of lead can stop it, just weaken it.

Answer 2

Characteristics of Isotopes

• The isotopes of any element will have the same number of valence electrons or valency, resulting in identical chemical properties.

• The isotopes' physical properties are different mainly due to the neutron number variation, present in the nucleus. Properties such as melting point, boiling point, density etc., which depend upon the atomic mass should be different for different isotopes because the isotopes of an element have different masses.

Answer 3

radioactive isotopes are labelled with [alpha-P32]dNTP (dinucleosidetriphosphate) which imparts the radioactive character to the isotopes