0
Radioactive pollution is something unwanted going into the environment. It can be very dangerous because radiation can cause cancer.
Karianne Feil
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoRadioactive decay is a natural process that occurs because a given atomic nucleus is unstable. The instability in the nucleus will eventually result in some kind of nuclear change (depending on the atom), and we call this radioactive or nuclear decay. Different radionuclides undergo different types of decay that include spontaneous fission, alpha decay and beta decay. Each of these is explained in separate questions, and they already have modestly good answers. You'll find links to those questions below, as well as links to some other Related questions.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoradioactivity occurs due to the presence of neutrons in the nucleus which exceed the no of protons by a large difference making the nucleus unstable. So radioactivity occurs so that the substance may attain a stable configuration.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoSome atomic nuclei are unstable (e.g. have too many or too few neutrons) so the nucleus will give off radiation to make itself more stable. The three main types are alpha, beta, and gamma. Alpha particles (a helium nucleus) can be given off, an electron can be given off in beta when a neutron is converted to a proton, or gamma can be given off to release some energy from the nucleus in the form of a high energy photon of light.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoAtoms need a certain ratio of protons to neutrons in their nucleus to be stable. Unstable atoms decay randomly into more stable configurations, releasing energy called radioactivity.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoIt occurs so that the resulting nuclei have greater stability than the radioactive ones.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoRadioactivity happens because of unstable elements, it is a completely random process and the probability of decay is independent of age.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoradioactive decay occurs when a large atom begins to fall apart due to its size
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
When radioactive isotopes break down into other elements the process is called?
radioactive decay
How can nuclear changes occur?
These can happen by fission where a nucleus splits into two parts on absorbing a neutron, or by radioactive decay.
How can radioactive decay change one element into another?
When one element goes through radio active decay, it looses some alpha , beta particles and also neutrons so considering those things we should reduce number of alpha , beta and also neutrons lost by the element. from that we have to decide the element which occur after radio active decay.
Which type of radioactive decay has the largest and most damaging particles?
alpha decay.
What radioactive decay processes do not reduce the atomic number of a nuclide?
Beta Decay.
Radioactive decay can be affected by what?
Most types of radioactive decay cannot be affected by anything. However, radioactive decay involving electron capture will be affected by the removal of electrons from around the nucleus. In the absence of orbital electrons, it cannot occur at all.
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.
What must occur before a radioactive atoms ceases to undergo further radioactive decay?
A stable, nonradioactive atom must be formed.
Radioactive decay do not involve electrons?
Radioactive decay may or may not involve electrons. There are different types of radioactive decay.
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.
Where do nuclear decay occur naturally?
Radioactive Decay occurs naturally all around us. If you test for radiation with a Geiger Counter, you will find that it picks up radiation in the air around you. Mostly, however, radioactive decay occurs in the earth's crust. I cannot name a specific element, as there are many that decay.
When an isotope is blank it does not undergo radioactive decay?
when an isotope is it does not undergo radioactive decay
How can nuclear changes occur?
These can happen by fission where a nucleus splits into two parts on absorbing a neutron, or by 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
