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An atom is a natural structure that has protons and neutrons bound (fused) together in a nucleus, and electrons orbiting in energy levels about it. Different combinations of protons and neutrons create different elements or different isotopes of a given element. In any case, when we look across different combinations of protons and neutrons in atomic nuclei, there are instances where atomic instability results when a given combination has been made. There are, quite simply, some combinations of protons and neutrons that are "unacceptable" to the protons and neutrons that make up that combination. This is an unstable atomic nucleus, and it is radioactive. It will eventually decay by some means, and all because that nucleus is unstable and is seeking to "get rid" of the instability by undergoing radioactive decay. The nucleus is attempting to change into a stable form, and if the decay product is another unstable form, then another radioactive decay will eventually occur. And so on until the "end product" is a stable isotope of some element.
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What is the half life of an element having 3102 atom at beginning of decay and at present it has 1020 atom?
what is the half life of an element having 3*1020 atom at the begining of decay and at present it has 1020 atom
When an atom undergoes radioactive decay the energy released in the reaction comes from what?
The energy that comes from the radioactive decay of an atom can come from the electrons and can come from the strong force inside the nucleus.
What radioactive atoms spontaneously do?
Depending on the type of atom, a radioactive atom will decay by emitting an alpha particle (helium nucleus), proton, neutron, electron, or will split apart completely.
What is the kind of decay that's results in the formation of a different element?
Alpha 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 atomic nuclei.
What would happen if an atom had more proton then electron?
alpha decay: the ejection of an alpha particle (two protons and two neutrons) Beta decay: the ejection of an electron, a neutron changes to a proton. Fission: The nucleus breaks into separate half of unspecified number of protons and neutrons.
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 an atom stable?
An atom is stable if it does not undergo decay.
What is the half life of an element having 3102 atom at beginning of decay and at present it has 1020 atom?
what is the half life of an element having 3*1020 atom at the begining of decay and at present it has 1020 atom
What is the term for the element that a radioactive isotope decay into?
The atom that results from nuclear decay is called the daughter atom. The element of the daughter atom would be called the daughter element. The atom that decayed is called the parent.
Which notation is used to represent gamma decay?
The symbol of gamma rays is γ.Between the initial atom and the daughter atom from decay an arrow (→) is placed.
What type of atom is used in radiometric decay?
Isotope
What is when the nucleus of an atom decomposes called?
radioactive decay
Is the atom left after decay often radioactive?
Truw
When radioactive decay occurs a atom is always produced by the action?
During any type of radioactive decay, one isotope (type of atom) will convert into a different isotope.
What happens to the atomic number of an atom undergoing alpha decay?
The atomic number of an atom undergoing alpha decay decreases by 2. Not asked, but answered for completeness, the atomic mass number decreases by 4.
When an atom undergoes radioactive decay the energy released in the reaction comes from what?
The energy that comes from the radioactive decay of an atom can come from the electrons and can come from the strong force inside the nucleus.
How alpha decay affects the parent ATOM....not the nucleus.?
Nuclear decay, etc. is defined for the nucleus. The atom consists mostly of the nucleus. If the nucleus loses two protons (in the case of alpha decay) it will have two charges less; eventually it will tend to lose two electrons to become an electrically neutral atom.
