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When a nucleus is unstable it has either too many or too few neutrons in the nucleus. This is what causes nuclear decay as the nucleus needs to have the correct ratio of neutrons to protons to be stable.
It may be triggered by an outside force, such as a colliding particle, or simply by chance.
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The nucleus of a radium 226 atom is unstable which causes the nucleus to?
Decay
When an unstable magnesium nucleus undergoes gamma decay the nucleus formed is that of what?
Magnesium
If the nucleus of a radium-226 atom is unstable what causes the nucleus to spontaneously decay?
Instability is due to a certain ratio between neutrons and protons in the atomic nucleus.
How does radioactive decay transmute elements?
A radioactive element has unstable atomic nuclei. These nuclei will decay according to the decay scheme for that given element under inspection. Depending on the type of decay, an alpha particle (a helium-4 nucleus), or a beta particle (an electron or a positron, depending) may be ejected from the nucleus. This will result in nuclear transformation. With each decay, a "new" nuclear configuration will appear, and these nuclei will, if they are also unstable, undergo further radioactive decay along what is called a decay chain. With continued decay, the atoms will change and reach the end of the chain, and this will be signaled by the appearance of a stable atomic nucleus.
What is an unstable nucleus that starts a decay process called?
A nucleus that starts to decay is called a radioactive nucleus or atom. It decays with a known and unique half life by several processes including but not limited to beta decay, alpha decay, electron capture decay, and positron emission.
How is a stable nucleus different to an unstable nucleus?
A stable nucleus is one which will not decay, whereas an unstable nucleus will decay at some point, which cannot be predicted as decay is a random process, by alpha or beta decay.
The nucleus of a radium 226 atom is unstable which causes the nucleus to?
Decay
When an unstable magnesium nucleus undergoes gamma decay the nucleus formed is that of what?
Magnesium
What are the causes of decay?
An unstable nucleus, which can be caused by:excess of neutronsshortage of neutronsmetastable excited state of nucleus
What happens to a nucleus of an unstable atom?
the unstable nucleus will decay into smaller, stable particles.
What is a nucleus that is unstable and undergoes decay?
Atomic nuclei that are unstable and decaying are said to be radioactive. Radioactive decay involves alpha, beta and gamma particle emissions.
What can cause a nucleus to become unstable and decay?
Too many or too few neutrons.
What process is a radioactive decay?
The process of a radioactive decay is atomic nucleus of an unstable atom loses energy by emitting ionizing particles
If the nucleus of a radium-226 atom is unstable what causes the nucleus to spontaneously decay?
Instability is due to a certain ratio between neutrons and protons in the atomic nucleus.
How does radioactive decay transmute elements?
A radioactive element has unstable atomic nuclei. These nuclei will decay according to the decay scheme for that given element under inspection. Depending on the type of decay, an alpha particle (a helium-4 nucleus), or a beta particle (an electron or a positron, depending) may be ejected from the nucleus. This will result in nuclear transformation. With each decay, a "new" nuclear configuration will appear, and these nuclei will, if they are also unstable, undergo further radioactive decay along what is called a decay chain. With continued decay, the atoms will change and reach the end of the chain, and this will be signaled by the appearance of a stable atomic nucleus.
What is an unstable nucleus that starts a decay process called?
A nucleus that starts to decay is called a radioactive nucleus or atom. It decays with a known and unique half life by several processes including but not limited to beta decay, alpha decay, electron capture decay, and positron emission.
What happens during radioactive decay apex?
An unstable nucleus loses particles until it becomes stable.
