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All the atoms of an element have the same number of protons in the nucleus of each atom. When the nucleus of a radioactive element such as Uranium splits into pieces, the "new" atoms formed have smaller numbers of protons in each atom.

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What does a radioactive element decay to form?

A radioactive element will decay to form different elements or isotopes through the emission of radiation such as alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays. Decay products typically have different atomic numbers and mass numbers than the original element.


What characterizes a radioactive element?

A radioactive element is characterized by having unstable atomic nuclei that decay and emit radiation in the form of alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays. This decay process results in the transformation of the element into a different element or isotope.


What happens when radioactive element decays?

When a radioactive element decays, it releases energy in the form of radiation (such as alpha or beta particles). The decay changes the element into a different element or isotope, which may also be radioactive. This process continues until a stable non-radioactive element is formed.


What kind of danger can ununhexium cause?

Ununhexium, also known as element 116, is a synthetic element that is highly radioactive and unstable. It can decay into other radioactive elements, releasing harmful radiation that can pose a danger to human health. Direct exposure to ununhexium or its decay products can cause radiation poisoning and increase the risk of cancer.


What is the name of the time required to change a part of a radioactive element to a stable element?

The name for the time required for half of a radioactive element to decay into a stable element is called the half-life. It is a constant value unique to each radioactive isotope, and it is used to measure the rate of radioactive decay.

Related Questions

What does a radioactive element decay to form?

A radioactive element will decay to form different elements or isotopes through the emission of radiation such as alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays. Decay products typically have different atomic numbers and mass numbers than the original element.


Can one element change into a different element?

Yes, but only if it is radioactive. Radioactive elements change into different elements through radioactive decay.


When an atom undergoes radioactive decay does it become a different element?

That depends on the type of decay, alpha and beta decay change the atom into a different element but gamma decay does not.


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.


What characterizes a radioactive element?

A radioactive element is characterized by having unstable atomic nuclei that decay and emit radiation in the form of alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays. This decay process results in the transformation of the element into a different element or isotope.


What is the breakdown of a radioactive isotope of the same element or of another element?

radioactive decay


What is the term for the element that a radioactive isotope decay into?

The term for the element that a radioactive isotope decays into is called the "daughter product". During radioactive decay, the original isotope transforms into a different element or isotope through a series of decay reactions.


Why are products of radioactive decay called daughter products?

Its an arbitrary designation, used, sometimes, by convention. We could just as easily have used parent-child or father-son. In fact, they are also called progeny or simply decay products. To be honest, I don't know the origin. I suppose it might be like why we call sea-faring vessels "she".


Can a radioactive element completely decay so that it is all stable matter?

A radioactive element (atom) can decay up to a stable isotope.


What are the differences between a radioactive element and one that transmutes?

Same thing. A radioactive element decays into either a different element (alpha, and beta decay), a lower energy state of the same element (gamma-ray emission), or sometimes breaks into 2 or more pieces (nuclear fission).


When elements such as uranium and plutonium decay do they form different elements chemical reactions or larger compounds?

When an element "decays", it forms a different element. This is the definition of "decay" when referring to radioactive elements.


What kind of decay results in the formation of a different element?

both top and bottomAlpha decay is a kind of radioactive decay in which an alpha particle is emitted from an atom. An alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons. Therefore, when an atom of an element undergoes alpha decay, it loses two protons, which changes the atom from one element to another. This is because each different element is identified by the number of protons in its nuclei.or to be more blunt without all the detail radioactive