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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.
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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?
Yes
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.
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.
When large unstable nuclei split because the electric force is greater than the nuclear force this is called?
Nuclear decay
Is it true that nuclear radiation comes from the decay of atomic nuclei?
Yes, the decay of unstable atomic nuclei is the source of nuclear radiation.
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 nuclei that has unstable decay known as?
Atomic nuclei that are unstable and decaying are said to be radioactive. Radioactive decay involves alpha, beta and gamma particle emissions.
Is it true that a unstable nuclei will undergo radioactive decay in order to gain stability?
It is true that unstable nuclei will undergo radioactive decay in order to gain stability. These include nuclei of #43 Technitium (Tc), any nucleus containing more that 83 protons and any nucleus with a high neutron-to-proton ratio, such as carbon-14. The most common forms of decay are by emission of an alpha particle (2 protons and 2 neutrons ... a helium nucleus!) or a beta-negative decay in which a neutron bcomes a proton by emitting an electron and an antineutrino.
What is the meaninq of two isotopes stable and unstable isotopes?
Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons. Stable isotopes have a balanced number of protons and neutrons, meaning their nuclei do not decay over time. Unstable isotopes, also known as radioactive isotopes, have an imbalance of protons and neutrons, causing their nuclei to decay and emit radiation over time.
Process by which unstable nuclei lose energy?
Radioactive decay
Unstable atomic nuclei decay over time into stable nuclei causing a mineral to be?
radioactive
