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The ratio neutrons/protons in radioactive isotopes is the cause of their innstability.

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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.


Importance of radioactive decay?

it is used by scientist to to calculate a rock's age


When an isotope is what it does not undergo radioactive decay?

friends are like seashells you collect on the way


Does the element aluminum undergo radioactive decay?

All elements have some isotopes that undergo radioactive decay, the question is how fast.Aluminum comes in three major isotopes, each with their own half-life:Al-26: 730000 years - 0% in natural aluminumAl-27: Stable - 100% in natural aluminumAl-28: 2.3 minutes - 0% in natural aluminumSo as natural aluminum is 100% Al-27 it does not undergo radioactive decay


Does silicon undergo radioactive decay?

The 3 isotopes that make up all naturally occurring silicon (28, 29, 30) on earth are all stable and thus do not undergo radioactive decay. But other silicon isotopes that are lighter or heavier can be produced by particle accelerators, nuclear reactors, nuclear explosions, or rarely cosmic rays do undergo radioactive decay via either -Beta, +Beta, or Gamma emission depending on isotope.Silicon does exist in space near very active stars, supernovas, etc. in the form of isotopes that undergo radioactive decay.The longest lived silicon isotope (32) that will undergo radioactive decay, has a halflife of roughly 700 years and thus will effectively completely decay to stable sulfur-32 in less than 4000 years. All other silicon isotopes that undergo radioactive decay have halflives so short that they finish decaying to stable isotopes of other elements in much less than a single day.

Related Questions

Which two elements undergo alpha decay?

The two elements that undergo alpha decay are uranium and thorium.


What type of radioactive decay results in uranium becoming thorium?

Alpha decay


How can you know that thorium-230 is radioactive?

Thorium-230 is radioactive because it undergoes alpha decay, turning into radium-226 with the release of an alpha particle. This decay process is characteristic of radioactive elements.


What type of radioactive decay results in uranium-238 becoming thorium-234?

Alpha decay


When an isotope is blank it does not undergo radioactive decay?

When an isotope is stable, it does not undergo radioactive decay. Stable isotopes have a balanced number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus, which prevents them from spontaneously changing into another element over time.


What is it called when atoms are unstable and undergo a nuclear decay?

radioactive decay


What type of radioactive decay resulted in uranium 238 becoming thorium 234 and how do you know?

This is an alpha decay.


Where did radon originate?

Radon is a radioactive gas in the decay series of uranium and thorium.


What is the radioactive gas produced when uranium and thorium decay?

Isotopes of radon (Rn)


What is thorium decay chains?

Thorium decay chains are series of radioactive decays that thorium undergoes as it transforms into different elements. These decay chains ultimately lead to the production of stable isotopes of lead. Thorium decay chains are important in nuclear reactors and the study of radioactive decay processes.


Why does radon undergo radioactive decay?

No stable isotopes.


Does strontium undergo radioactive decay?

Yes, strontium can undergo radioactive decay. One common isotope of strontium, strontium-90, is a radioactive isotope that decays through beta decay. It is a byproduct of nuclear fission and can be harmful to living organisms due to its radioactive nature.