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Half lives can be any length, from a few milliseconds to millions of years.

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What is the lifetime of an electron?

The life of an isotope depends on whether it is stable or not. Stable isotopes do not decay and therefore, do not have an lifetime since they do not go away. Unstable isotopes decay at predictable rates. However, each unstable isotope decays at a its own rate. Therefore, the life of an unstable isotope depends on the isotope in question. Some isotopes have extremely short lifetimes (milliseconds) and other have extremely long lifetimes (billions of years).


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.


What is a process in which atomic nuclei of unstable isotopes release fast-moving particles and energy?

Nuclear decay is the process in which atomic nuclei of unstable isotopes release fast-moving particles, such as alpha or beta particles, along with energy in the form of gamma radiation. This process is also known as radioactive decay and results in the transformation of the unstable isotope into a more stable one.


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.


What is the process in which the atomic nuclei of unstable isotopes release fast moving particles and energy?

The process is called radioactive decay, in which unstable isotopes undergo spontaneous disintegration to form more stable elements. During this process, fast-moving particles such as alpha and beta particles are emitted, along with energy in the form of gamma rays.

Related Questions

Are unstable isotopes chemically inert?

Unstable isotopes can be chemically reactive.


What is an unstable isotope?

Unstable isotopes are radioactive isotopes, can disintegrate and emit radiations.


Hydrogen has how many unstable isotopes?

Hydrogen has 1 unstable isotope, and 2 stable isotopes.


Are All isotope unstable?

Not all isotopes are unstable. But now more than 3 000 unstable isotopes are known, artificial or natural.


Which element in group 16 has unstable isotopes?

Polonium is the element in group 16 that has unstable isotopes. It is a radioactive element with no stable isotopes.


What is stable and unstable isotopes?

Some isotopes are stable, others are unstable.


What is the lifetime of an electron?

The life of an isotope depends on whether it is stable or not. Stable isotopes do not decay and therefore, do not have an lifetime since they do not go away. Unstable isotopes decay at predictable rates. However, each unstable isotope decays at a its own rate. Therefore, the life of an unstable isotope depends on the isotope in question. Some isotopes have extremely short lifetimes (milliseconds) and other have extremely long lifetimes (billions of years).


Why are some isotopes called radioactive?

These isotopes are unstable and emit radiation.


Does americium has stable isotopes?

All the isotopes of americium are radioactive and unstable.


What are isotopes considered radioactive?

Not all isotopes are radioactive; the radioactive isotopes are unstable and emit radiations.


Does the element Mercury contain isotopes?

Mercury has isotopes ranging from an atomic mass of 171 to 210. Of these, only 7 are stable and a further 5 have halflives longer than a halfday. The radioactive isotopes are: 171 to 195, 197, 205 to 210. Two of the stable isotopes also have unstable excited forms.


Which isotopes break down and give off radiation?

These are the radioactive unstable isotopes.