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radioactive decay

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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.


Do radioactive isotopes disintegrate easily?

There is a very wide range of half-life for different radioactive isotopes, ranging from the billions of years to very small fractions of a second. So some isotopes disintegrate immediately, and others last a very long time.


What are radioactive elements called?

There is not one, but many radioactive elements. Radioactive isotopes, to be more precise - because sometimes, one isotope may be stable, while another isotope of the same element is radioactive. All, or most, elements have radioactive isotopes.


What is the process in which the nuclei of unstable atoms can become more stable by emitting particles or electromagnetic radiation?

This process is called radioactive decay. Unstable atoms, also known as radioactive isotopes, undergo decay by emitting particles (such as alpha or beta particles) or electromagnetic radiation (such as gamma rays) in order to achieve a more stable configuration.


Why do some isotopes of elements spontaneously undergo radioactive decay?

Nuclei undergo radioactive decay in order to release some of the "stress" in the atom. At a certain point, the nucleus of an atom gets too large to sustain all of those protons and neutrons. When the "stress" is relieved, a phenomenon called radioactive decay occurs.

Related Questions

What are elements with no stable isotopes called?

Elements with no stable isotopes are called radioactive elements. These elements spontaneously undergo radioactive decay, which leads to the formation of stable isotopes over time.


What is the slow breakdown of radioactive substances into more stable elements?

Radioactive elements break down in to stable isotopes through nuclear decay. The list of isotopes from a nuclear isotope to a stable isotope is called its decay chain.


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.


What is the process called when scientists use radioactive isotopes to calculate a fossils age?

Radioactive elements tend to degrade or give off radiation at a constant rate. That is an essential part of radioactive carbon dating. Uranium, for instance has a has half life of 5,400 years. Each 5,400 years, half of the uranium becomes inert lead. It is considered an accurate form of dating.


When an isotope is it is called radioactive?

Some isotopes are radioactive, some are not.


Why are some isotopes called radioactive?

These isotopes are unstable and emit radiation.


What our daughter isotopes?

"Daughter isotopes" are called the decay products of an radioactive isotope.


Scientists use the amount of radioactive isotopes found in rocks and fossils to calculate their ages this process is called?

Scientists use a method called radiometric dating to calculate the ages of rocks and fossils based on the amount of radioactive isotopes present in them. This process relies on measuring the decay of unstable isotopes into stable isotopes over time to determine the age of the material.


How are radioactive isotopes dectected?

with devices called Radiacs


What is the process of estimating the age of an object using the half life of one or more radioactive isotopes called?

The process of estimating the age of an object using the half-life of one or more radioactive isotopes is called radiometric dating. This technique relies on measuring the amount of parent and daughter isotopes in a sample to calculate how much time has passed since the material was formed.


Are isotopes called tracer elements?

Yes, isotopes are also tracer elements since most modern disease detection techniques involves the subjects ingesting a small amount of radioactive tracers and detect such things as tumors via x-ray or photographic emulsion techniques. In fact, most tracer elements are isotopes.


Do radioactive isotopes disintegrate easily?

There is a very wide range of half-life for different radioactive isotopes, ranging from the billions of years to very small fractions of a second. So some isotopes disintegrate immediately, and others last a very long time.