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The term radioactivity was coined by experimenters around the year 1900, who discovered that blackening of photographic plates was caused by uranium compounds, even when the plates were wrapped in black paper. Later experiments showed that there are three main types of radioactivity, and these were named alpha, beta, and gamma from the first three letters of the Greek alpabet.

The 'radio' in the term means that it is a form of radiation, nothing to do with the 'wireless' radio which was developed by Marconi.

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15y ago
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15y ago

It is the process in which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting ionizing particles and radiation.

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Q: What is radioactive decay in rocks?
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Related questions

Why are radioactive materials used to date rocks rocks?

Radioactive materials decay at predictable rates


How do scienistuse the rate at which radioactive elements decay on rocks?

give a irect answer ^


What is the source of heat in the Earth's interior?

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What is the source of heat in the Earth interior?

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What is Radioactive dating of rock samples?

Radioactive dating of rock samples determines the age of rocks from the time it was formed. Geologist determine the age of rocks using radioactive dating. The radioactive dating relies on spontaneous decomposition into other element. The spontaneous decomposition is called radioactive decay.


Radioactive decay do not involve electrons?

Radioactive decay may or may not involve electrons. There are different types of radioactive decay.


Why radioactive decay use to determine the absolute age of rocks?

**this happens because it does. is a common answer i receive but is not true. BUT the answer IS that radioactive decay is used to determine the ABSOLUTE age of rocks because it is more accurate, and because when you put radioactive decay and you put a rock there, you see a process going on. correct me if I'm wrong but i believe that using this is receive don't listen to what i say below: When you take radioactive material, and you put a solid in there, what happens? COMBUSTION! this is caused by a CHEMICAL REACTION. so common sense tells me that when you put radioactive decay to determine a rocks absolute age, its common knowledge that they use it for accuracy, and they take the age and see how old it (the rocks) are. that's how they know the age of rocks. (look in your every day science book it should say) hope this helped :3 :D **


Why is radioactive decay used to determine the absolute ages of rocks?

**this happens because it does. is a common answer i receive but is not true. BUT the answer IS that radioactive decay is used to determine the ABSOLUTE age of rocks because it is more accurate, and because when you put radioactive decay and you put a rock there, you see a process going on. correct me if I'm wrong but i believe that using this is receive don't listen to what i say below: When you take radioactive material, and you put a solid in there, what happens? COMBUSTION! this is caused by a CHEMICAL REACTION. so common sense tells me that when you put radioactive decay to determine a rocks absolute age, its common knowledge that they use it for accuracy, and they take the age and see how old it (the rocks) are. that's how they know the age of rocks. (look in your every day science book it should say) hope this helped :3 :D **


Geologists determine the absolute age of rocks using?

Geologists determine the absolute age of rocks using radiometric dating techniques, such as carbon dating or uranium-lead dating. These methods rely on measuring the proportions of radioactive isotopes and their decay products in the rocks to calculate how long ago they formed.


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