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steve oliver
- 12
- 0
what causes radioactive decay i mean i know throw decay could turn unstable to stable atom. But what cause it unstable?
Radioactive decay is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation, leading to the formation of a more stable nucleus. This process can occur naturally or artificially.
Radioactive decay is caused by the imbalance of energy in an atomic nucleus. This imbalance can occur due to the presence of too many or too few neutrons compared to protons in the nucleus. To achieve a more stable state, the nucleus releases energy in the form of radiation.
The three most common types of radiation emitted during radioactive decay are alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays. Alpha particles consist of two protons and two neutrons, beta particles are either electrons or positrons, and gamma rays are high-energy electromagnetic waves.
The rate of radioactive decay is measured using a unit called half-life, which is the amount of time it takes for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay. The half-life varies for different radioactive elements and can range from fractions of a second to billions of years.
Radioactive decay has many practical applications, including in nuclear power generation, medical imaging and treatment, and carbon dating to determine the age of fossils and artifacts. It is also used in industrial processes such as sterilization and food preservation.