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The nucleus is too large to be stable. There is the theory of grouping of nucleons into alpha particles inside the nucleus and thru oscillations of the nucleus one of these on one end of the nucleus can be repelled with a great enough force to push it out of the nucleus.

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Q: Why does americium-241 undergo radioactive decay?
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What is the lightest element that can undergo radioactive decay and what type of decay occurs in that element?

The lightest "element" that can undergo radioactive decay is the isotope hydrogen-3, which undergoes beta decay. The lightest element with no radioactively stable isotopes is technetium, and its isotopes have different modes of decay.


Why does thorium undergo radioactive decay?

The ratio neutrons/protons in radioactive isotopes is the cause of their innstability.


When an isotope is what it does not undergo radioactive decay?

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Does the element aluminum undergo radioactive decay?

All elements have some isotopes that undergo radioactive decay, the question is how fast.Aluminum comes in three major isotopes, each with their own half-life:Al-26: 730000 years - 0% in natural aluminumAl-27: Stable - 100% in natural aluminumAl-28: 2.3 minutes - 0% in natural aluminumSo as natural aluminum is 100% Al-27 it does not undergo radioactive decay


Does silicon undergo radioactive decay?

The 3 isotopes that make up all naturally occurring silicon (28, 29, 30) on earth are all stable and thus do not undergo radioactive decay. But other silicon isotopes that are lighter or heavier can be produced by particle accelerators, nuclear reactors, nuclear explosions, or rarely cosmic rays do undergo radioactive decay via either -Beta, +Beta, or Gamma emission depending on isotope.Silicon does exist in space near very active stars, supernovas, etc. in the form of isotopes that undergo radioactive decay.The longest lived silicon isotope (32) that will undergo radioactive decay, has a halflife of roughly 700 years and thus will effectively completely decay to stable sulfur-32 in less than 4000 years. All other silicon isotopes that undergo radioactive decay have halflives so short that they finish decaying to stable isotopes of other elements in much less than a single day.

Related questions

When an isotope is blank it does not undergo radioactive decay?

when an isotope is it does not undergo radioactive decay


What is it called when atoms are unstable and undergo a nuclear decay?

radioactive decay


Why does radon undergo radioactive decay?

No stable isotopes.


What is the lightest element that can undergo radioactive decay and what type of decay occurs in that element?

The lightest "element" that can undergo radioactive decay is the isotope hydrogen-3, which undergoes beta decay. The lightest element with no radioactively stable isotopes is technetium, and its isotopes have different modes of decay.


Why does thorium undergo radioactive decay?

The ratio neutrons/protons in radioactive isotopes is the cause of their innstability.


What must occur before a radioactive atoms ceases to undergo further radioactive decay?

Before a radioactive atom ceases to undergo further radioactive decay, it must reach a stable configuration or decay into a non-radioactive isotope through the emission of particles or energy. This process continues until the atom reaches a state of stability where it no longer emits radiation.


Does Argon Decay?

There are over twenty known isotopes of argon. Of these all but three are radioactive and decay. Of naturally occurring argon, very nearly 100% is not radioactive, with only traces of one radioactive isotope found.


When an isotope is what it does not undergo radioactive decay?

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Is xenon radioactve?

Xenon itself is not radioactive. However, certain isotopes of xenon can be radioactive, such as xenon-133, which is a common fission product of nuclear reactors.


What is it called when an isotope does not undergo radioactive decay?

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Will unstable nuclei all undergo radioactive decay in order to gain stability?

Not necessarily. Some unstable nuclei can gain stability through processes such as alpha or beta decay, while others can undergo spontaneous fission. Additionally, some unstable nuclei may be in a metastable state and decay through isomeric transition.


What is an atom stable?

An atom is stable if it does not undergo decay.