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The simple answer is to release excess energy and thus become more stable.
The full answer requires some understanding of Quantum Mechanics, as it is a quantum process and even though an atom has excess energy to release its current state may be one that Quantum Mechanics prohibits (or encourages) certain changes from occurring.
What else can I help you with?
Is nuclear decay spontaneous or artificial?
Matter can be made to undergo nuclear decay in reactors, but it is a process that occurs spontaneously in nature.
Radioactive decay occurs when atoms of an unstable element?
It means that massive nuclei break apart.
What is the difference between nuclear decay and nuclear fission?
Nuclear decay is any spontaneous process where unstable nuclei release extra energy to arrive at a more stable state. Typical decay processes are Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. Some large unstable nuclei (e.g. Plutonium-240) can sometimes decay by spontaneous fission.Nuclear fission is a process where certain large nuclei (e.g. Uranium-235 & Plutonium-239) absorb a neutron and then split into two smaller nuclei and a few free neutrons. Some large unstable nuclei (e.g. Plutonium-240) don't need to be hit by a neutron to fission.Nuclear fusion is a process where small nuclei under unusual conditions of very high temperature and very high pressure combine to form larger nuclei.All three processes above are exothermic.In stars nuclear fusion stops at nickel and iron (further fusion past this would be endothermic). If all we had was the above processes then that would be where the periodic table ended (therefore there could not be nuclear fission as such heavy nuclei could not exist). However stars die, and some die so spectacularly we call them supernovas.When a supernova occurs, an intense shock wave blows all the outer layers of the star away at very high velocity. At these velocities nuclei collide so hard that normally impossible endothermic nuclear fusion reactions occur. The rest of the periodic table is filled here, including many transuranics not found naturally on earth (e.g. Americium, Californium, Berkelium).
Is fusion nuclear decay or nuclear synthesis?
Fusion is nuclear synthesis, combining atoms of lesser mass into atoms of greater mass. Decay is reducing the mass of larger (unstable) atoms to form atoms of lesser mass.
Is nuclear decay an example of a nuclear change?
Yes, it is. Nuclear decay is a process that an unstable atom goes through to lose energy and move toward a more stable state. (It may take more than one decay.) In nuclear decay, the nucleus undergoes a change by releasing a particle or particles and electromagnetic energy. Links are provided to related Wikipedia articles and related questions.
What is it called when atoms are unstable and undergo a nuclear decay?
radioactive decay
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 are the key differences between stable and unstable nuclei?
Stable nuclei have a balanced number of protons and neutrons, while unstable nuclei have an imbalance. Unstable nuclei undergo radioactive decay to become more stable.
Why is decay necessary?
Those elements undergo the 'decay' process which have unstable nuclei so decay is necessary to gain the stability. such elements form the smaller stable nuclei as Lead nucleus.
How does nuclear decay contribute to the process of unstable nuclei achieving greater stability?
Nuclear decay is a process where unstable nuclei release energy or particles to become more stable. This helps unstable nuclei achieve greater stability by reducing their excess energy or changing their composition to reach a more balanced state.
What is it called when large unstable nuclei split because the electric force is greater than the nuclear force?
When large unstable nuclei split because the electric for is greater than the nuclear force is nuclear decay.
Why are radioisotopes unstable and prone to undergo radioactive decay?
Radioisotopes are unstable because they have an imbalance of protons and neutrons in their atomic nuclei. This imbalance causes them to be prone to undergo radioactive decay in order to achieve a more stable configuration.
Where is unstable nuclei most commonly found?
Unstable nuclei are most commonly found in radioactive materials, such as uranium and radium. These materials emit radiation as the unstable nuclei undergo radioactive decay in an attempt to become more stable.
When large unstable nuclei split because the electric force is greater than the nuclear force this is called?
Nuclear decay
How many unstable nuclei exist in nature?
There are many unstable nuclei that exist in nature, but the exact number is difficult to determine due to the sheer variety of radioactive isotopes that can occur. These unstable nuclei can undergo radioactive decay to become more stable over time.
Process which unstable nuclei emit radiation is called?
This process through which unstable nuclei emit radiation is called radioactive decay. It also is called nuclear decay, and it is a natural process in which an atom of an isotope decomposes into a new element.
What is nuclear instability?
Nuclear instability is when the nucleus of an atom is unstable because of an improper ratio of protons to neutrons. Nuclear instability causes radioactive decay because the nucleus emits radiation to stabilize itself.
