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An atom "becomes" radioactive when it is created. It's that simple. Radioactivity is a phenomenon associated with atoms that have unstable nuclei. The key is that the protons and neutrons that form the nucleus "don't like" the "arrangement" there and the atomic nucleus is unstable. The "ratio" of protons to neutrons in a nucleus is intrinsically unstable. The instability is something that the nucleus, when it is formed (and by whatever means), has as an innate quality. It is unstable, and it isradioactive, and at some point in time, it will undergo decay, or even spontaneous fission, in the case of certain atoms, like uranium and plutonium.
What else can I help you with?
Do all atoms give out radiation?
No, not all atoms give off radiation. Only certain types of unstable atoms, known as radioactive atoms, undergo radioactive decay and emit radiation in the form of alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays.
Where do radioactive atoms start on the periodic table?
Radioactive atoms can be found throughout the periodic table. They can be naturally occurring elements like uranium and thorium, or they can be created synthetically in laboratories by bombarding stable atoms with particles.
Do radioactive atoms have different atomic weights than non radioactive atoms of the same element?
yes
What are the contributions of atoms in the field of medicine?
All medicines are made of atoms. Some treatments involve radioactive isotopes as do some diagnostic methods.
Are lanthanides radioactive?
Some lanthanides are radioactive, such as promethium. However, most lanthanides found in nature are stable.
Are all atoms of actinides radioactive?
Yes. All of the actinides are radioactive.
How do nuclear atoms differ from regular atoms?
All atoms are nuclear, in that they all have nuclei. Some atoms have unstable nuclei, making them radioactive. I'm afraid I have no idea what you mean by "nuclear atoms," unless you meant to say radioactive atoms, in which case the answer is "they have unstable nuclei and they're radioactive."
Atoms with certain characteristics are radioactive Which is least likely to be radioactive?
all atoms with an atomic number under 40
Do all atoms decay over time?
No, not all atoms decay over time. Some atoms are stable and do not undergo radioactive decay.
Do all atoms give out radiation?
No, not all atoms give off radiation. Only certain types of unstable atoms, known as radioactive atoms, undergo radioactive decay and emit radiation in the form of alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays.
Where do radioactive atoms start on the periodic table?
Radioactive atoms can be found throughout the periodic table. They can be naturally occurring elements like uranium and thorium, or they can be created synthetically in laboratories by bombarding stable atoms with particles.
Do radioactive atoms have different atomic weights than non radioactive atoms of the same element?
yes
Are radioactive atoms stable?
No
What planets and celestial bodies seem to be radioactive?
Stars seem to be, but they don't have big and/or unstable atoms such as most radioactive elements have. They release sub atomic units when their atoms fuse, along with rays such as gamma rays, which is why they can seem to be similar to other radioactive things. Some planets with atmostpheres that are ionised by ionising rays can also be similar to radioactive things perhaps.
What are the contributions of atoms in the field of medicine?
All medicines are made of atoms. Some treatments involve radioactive isotopes as do some diagnostic methods.
How do radioisotopes of an element differ feom other isotopes?
Radioisotopes are "radioactive isotopes"; they are not stable. Radioactive atoms will decay, or break apart into other atoms, by emitting an electron, or a neutron or a positron or an alpha particle (2 protons and two neutrons). The rate at which this happens is measured by the "half-life"; after one half-life, half of the atoms will have decayed. After another half-life, half of the remaining atoms will have decayed. Atoms with short half-lives are highly radioactive, and can be fairly dangerous. Atoms with long half-lives are only slightly radioactive, and aren't all that dangerous.
Do the numbers of radioactive and daughter atoms change at the same rate throughtout the simulation?
The numbers of radioactive and daughter atoms may or may not change at the same rate throughout simulation when compared to each other. Atoms generally start out at a higher rate of speed, and decrease to a lower one.
