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Radioactive decay happens to the unstable atom nuclei in its efforts striving to reach stability. The nucleus of any element atom should have specific neutron/proton ratio to be a stable nucleus. Also, the absolute number of protons should not exceed certain limit.
For a nucleus with neutron/proton is higher than the stability ratio, two types of radioactive decay may occur to decrease the ratio in the nucleus in order to reach stability:
- radioactive beta decay: in which a neutron transforms into proton plus electron where the proton remains in the nucleus and the electron is emitted from the nucleus as beta radiation
- radioactive neutron decay: in which a neutron is emitted from the nucleus as neutron radiation (this transformation is relatively rare. Example of this transformation is the unstable Krypton-87)
For a nucleus with neutron/proton is lower than the stability ratio, two types of radioactive decay may occur to increase the ratio in the nucleus in order to reach stability:
- radioactive proton decay: in which a proton in the nucleus transforms into neutron plus positron where the neutron remains in the nucleus and the positron is emitted from the nucleus as positive beta radiation
- proton attraction of one electron from the nearest orbit to the nucleus to form neutron that remains in the nucleus.
For an unstable nucleus with number of protons exceeding the stability limit, the nucleus may reach stability with one or more of the above four nuclear transformations or by:
- fission of the nucleus into two or more smaller nuclei with emission of one or more neutrons (as the spontaneous fission of one of the plutonium isotopes).
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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.
Use the term radioactive decay in a sentence?
"The radioactive decay of certain unstable isotopes is used to calculate the age of objects."
What is necessary for you to be able to explain what happens during radioactive decay?
To fully explain radioactive decay you need quantum mechanics.
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.
Radioactive decay do not involve electrons?
Radioactive decay may or may not involve electrons. There are different types of radioactive decay.
Can a sample of matter change its composition or state?
For chemical reactions, the elements in a sealed vessel will not change. But, reactions can take place that would tend to take the sample to a state of equilibrium. Or, with heating or cooling the physical state can be changed.Another type of reaction is nuclear decay, in which radioactive substances will spontaneously decay to other radioactive substances, or decay to non-radioactive substances, thus actually changing the elements present.
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 is lost during radioactive decay?
Decay energy is the energy that has been freed during radioactive decay. When radioactive decay is ongoing it drops off some energy by means of discharging radiation.
What are advantages of radioactive decay?
One reason is that radioactive decay heats the earths interior
How many years will it take for 10 g of radioactive uranium to decay into 5 g of radioactive uranium?
5,730 years
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.
Is the best definition of radioactive decay?
Radioactive decay is the spontaneous breakdown of a nucleus into smaller parts.
