Radioactive Decay: What is It and Why is it Important?

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Radioactive decay is the process by which unstable atomic nuclei lose energy by emitting radiation, leading to the transformation of one element into another. It is crucial for understanding nuclear reactions and the stability of matter, as well as for applications in medicine and energy. The weak nuclear force is specifically responsible for beta decay, a type of radioactive decay that cannot be explained by the other fundamental forces. Although it may seem less significant compared to gravity or electromagnetism, the weak nuclear force plays a vital role in the universe's structure and behavior. Understanding these concepts is essential for grasping the fundamentals of nuclear physics and its implications.
bh258
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Im not sure if this is a bad question but what is radioactive decay and why is it so important they needed a new force to explain it. It might just be me but compared to the other three forces its existence seems miniscule. (just turned 14 so am still in stupid integrated science for eighth graders)
 
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The weak nuclear force is needed for theory to explain beta decay - the other forces don't. It happens to be stronger than gravity, but that is besides the point.
 

Thread 'Need help understanding particle physics and quantum physics'

So I know that electrons are fundamental, there's no 'material' that makes them up, it's like talking about a colour itself rather than a car or a flower. Now protons and neutrons and quarks and whatever other stuff is there fundamentally, I want someone to kind of teach me these, I have a lot of questions that books might not give the answer in the way I understand. Thanks
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