Radioactive decay is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation. This results in the transformation of one element into another.
Radioactive decay occurs because of the imbalance in the number of protons and neutrons in an atomic nucleus. This imbalance makes the nucleus unstable and it tries to reach a more stable state by releasing energy in the form of radiation.
The rate of radioactive decay is measured using the half-life, which is the time it takes for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay. Half-life can vary from fractions of a second to billions of years, depending on the type of radioactive element.
There are three main types of radioactive decay: alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma decay. Alpha decay involves the emission of an alpha particle, beta decay involves the emission of a beta particle, and gamma decay involves the emission of high-energy gamma rays.
Radioactive decay has a variety of practical applications, including medical imaging and treatment, carbon dating, and nuclear power. It is also used in industrial processes such as food preservation and smoke detectors.