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What triggers an unstable nucleus to decay?
When a nucleus is unstable it has either too many or too few neutrons in the nucleus. This is what causes nuclear decay as the nucleus needs to have the correct ratio of neutrons to protons to be stable. It may be triggered by an outside force, such as a colliding particle, or simply by chance.
What causes radioactivity?
Radioactivity is caused by the instability of an atom's nucleus. An unstable nucleus can emit particles or energy in the form of radiation in order to become more stable. This process is known as radioactive decay.
An unstable isotope with extra energy in the nucleus?
An unstable isotope with extra energy in the nucleus is a radioactive isotope. This extra energy causes the nucleus to undergo radioactive decay, emitting particles or gamma rays in order to become more stable. This process can involve the release of alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma radiation.
The nucleus of a radium 226 atom is unstable which causes the nucleus to?
undergo radioactive decay, releasing alpha particles. This decay process results in the transformation of the radium 226 nucleus into a different element, typically radon 222, along with the release of energy.
What makes americium radioactive?
Americium is radioactive due to its unstable atomic structure, specifically the imbalance between protons and neutrons in its nucleus. This instability causes the americium atoms to undergo radioactive decay in order to achieve a more stable configuration, emitting harmful radiation in the process.
What are the causes of decay?
An unstable nucleus, which can be caused by:excess of neutronsshortage of neutronsmetastable excited state of nucleus
What triggers an unstable nucleus to decay?
When a nucleus is unstable it has either too many or too few neutrons in the nucleus. This is what causes nuclear decay as the nucleus needs to have the correct ratio of neutrons to protons to be stable. It may be triggered by an outside force, such as a colliding particle, or simply by chance.
What causes radioactivity?
Radioactivity is caused by the instability of an atom's nucleus. An unstable nucleus can emit particles or energy in the form of radiation in order to become more stable. This process is known as radioactive decay.
In nuclear fission reactions what causes the atom's nucleus to become unstable?
the absorption of a free-moving neutron by the atom's nucleus
Why are radioactive isotopes unstable?
Radioactive isotopes are unstable because they have an imbalance of protons and neutrons in their atomic nuclei. This imbalance causes the nucleus to be energetically unstable, leading to the emission of radiation in the form of alpha or beta particles in order to achieve a more stable configuration.
An unstable isotope with extra energy in the nucleus?
An unstable isotope with extra energy in the nucleus is a radioactive isotope. This extra energy causes the nucleus to undergo radioactive decay, emitting particles or gamma rays in order to become more stable. This process can involve the release of alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma radiation.
What part of an atom causes radioactivity?
It is the nucleus of the atom that undergoes change during radioactive decay.
The nucleus of a radium 226 atom is unstable which causes the nucleus to?
undergo radioactive decay, releasing alpha particles. This decay process results in the transformation of the radium 226 nucleus into a different element, typically radon 222, along with the release of energy.
What makes americium radioactive?
Americium is radioactive due to its unstable atomic structure, specifically the imbalance between protons and neutrons in its nucleus. This instability causes the americium atoms to undergo radioactive decay in order to achieve a more stable configuration, emitting harmful radiation in the process.
Why does an element radiate?
An element will radiate if it is an isotope of the original element, this means that it has more neutrons in its nucleus than it does protons. This causes the element to become unstable and thus causes it to let out radiation in order to make it stable.
What is the nuclear transformation of atoms?
There are several types of nuclear transformation:Alpha decay causes the ejection of a Helium Nucleus.Beta decay causes the ejection of an electron and a neutrino while one neutron in the nucleus becomes a proton.Gamma decay causes the ejection of a very high energy photon.Fission causes a massive nucleus to split into two smaller ones, usually about 1/3s and 2/3s the mass of the original nucleus, and a few neutrons. Some isotopes of elements that fission can fission spontaneously, some can't. In those isotopes that can't fission spontaneously, fission is triggered by neutron capture.Fusion causes light nuclei to merge into heavier ones. This only happens at very high temperature and pressure.Capture causes a nucleus to absorb another particle, usually a neutron, and transmute into a different isotope or element. Capture is usually followed by one of the types of decay.
Why do nuclei decay?
To become stable
