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They experience radioactive decay. They emit radiation, changing the state of their nucleus, usually by the loss of protons and neutrons. However, this process is completely random; it can only be predicted as a half-life, or the amount of time it takes half of a certain material to decay. This does not predict when an individual atom will decay, it only predicts when approximately half of the material will have decayed.

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Over time what will happend to the nucleus of a radioactive atom If a radioactive atom emits an alpha particles them what is it emitting?

Alpha particle is the same as a helium-4 nucleus, i.e., two protons and two neutrons bound together. If an atom emits an alpha particle, it will have two protons less, and two neutrons less. Over time, there may be additional decay, which may further change the number of protons and neutrons.


What do you call a atom that decays?

An atom whose nucleus decays over time is called radioactive. Some examples of radioactive substances are uranium, plutonium, and einsteinium.


What will happen to a neptunium atom over time?

The fate of all radioactive and unstable isotopes is the disintegration until to stable isotopes are obtained.


How long does it take a radioactive atom to decay?

The time it takes for a radioactive atom to decay can vary significantly depending on the specific isotope. This is measured in terms of a half-life, which is the time it takes for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay. Half-lives can range from fractions of a second to billions of years.


The half-life of a radioactive element is?

The time it takes for half of the atoms to decay, and become some other type of atom.


What is the change in isotopes over time due to the emission of radioactive particles is known as?

You think probable to radioactive decay.


Isotopes which have unstable nucleus and break down at a constant rate over time?

radioactive isotopes! :)


What is the purpose of radioactive implants?

With the use of radioactive implants, the tumor is subjected to radioactive activity over a longer period of time, as compared to external beam therapy.


Why was the radioactive atom was discovered?

They were discovered because the amount of energy they emit was measurable, but the method and manner in which it is emitted was inexplicable at the time.


What are some lasting effects from the atom bomb in hiroshima?

Because they way it works it they smash plutonium ( which is radioactive) to split an atom. This produces radiation which is harmful and can last a long time.


Does half-life mean half of somethings lifespan?

It is the amount of time a radioactive atom takes to decay and have half of what its original mass was. Example: an atom has 20g, one half-life later it has 10g, and then 5g and then 2.5, etc.


What does the curve to the right show about radioactive decay?

The curve to the right shows that radioactive decay follows an exponential decrease over time.