"Radioactive decay (also known as nuclear decay, radioactivity, radioactive disintegration, or nuclear disintegration) is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by radiation."
Elements that have unstable nuclei and emit radiation as they decay.
Atomic Structure: Understanding the structure of an atom is essential to understand radioactive isotopes. It involves learning about protons, electrons, and neutrons.
Radioactivity: Radioactivity is the process by which certain elements emit radiation. It is the starting point of learning about radioactive isotopes.
Types of Radiation: There are three types of radiation: alpha, beta, and gamma. Each type has its properties and characteristics.
Half-Life: Half-life is the time taken by half of the total number of radioactive isotopes to decay. It is an essential concept to understand the decay process of these isotopes.
Decay Chains: Decay chains refer to the series of decays that radioactive isotopes undergo until they reach a stable state.
Radiation Dose: Radiation dose is a measure of the amount of radiation absorbed by a material or a living tissue. It is an essential concept for understanding the effects of radiation on living beings.
Radioactive Dating: Radioactive dating refers to the use of radioactive isotopes to determine the age of rocks and fossils.
Nuclear Reactions: A nuclear reaction involves changes to a nucleus that result in the emission of energy and/or particles.
Health Effects of Radiation: Understanding the potential health effects of radiation exposure is crucial, particularly in the context of nuclear accidents and radiation therapy.
Radiation Protection: Radiation protection involves measures taken to minimize radiation exposure and protect human health.
Isotopic Labeling: Isotopic labeling refers to the process of using radioactive isotopes to label molecules to study chemical and biological processes.
Nuclear Energy: Nuclear energy involves the generation of electricity using nuclear reactions.
Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy involves the use of radiation to treat cancer and other diseases.
Nuclear Medicine: Nuclear medicine involves the use of radioactive isotopes in medical diagnosis and treatment.
Environmental Radioactivity: Understanding the sources and effects of environmental radioactivity is essential to ensure the safety of our environment and public health.
Alpha particles: High-energy helium nuclei that are emitted by radioactive materials.
Beta particles: High-energy electrons or positrons that are emitted by radioactive materials.
Gamma rays: High-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted by the nucleus of an atom.
Neutrons: High-energy particles that have no electrical charge and are emitted by certain radioactive materials.
Positrons: Antimatter particles that have the same mass as electrons but have a positive charge.
Uranium-235: A highly unstable radioactive isotope that is used in nuclear reactors and weapons.
Plutonium-239: Another highly unstable radioactive isotope that is used in nuclear weapons.
Carbon-14: A radioactive isotope of carbon that is used in radiocarbon dating.
Iodine-131: A radioactive isotope that is used in medical treatments and diagnosing thyroid disorders.
Cobalt-60: A highly radioactive isotope that is used in cancer treatments.
Radium-226: A highly radioactive isotope that was once used in glow-in-the-dark paints and medical treatments.
Strontium-90: A highly radioactive isotope that is used as a power source in space probes.
Americium-241: A highly radioactive isotope that is used in smoke detectors.
Thorium-232: A mildly radioactive isotope that is used in the production of nuclear power.
"A material containing unstable nuclei is considered radioactive."
"Three of the most common types of decay are alpha, beta, and gamma decay, all of which involve emitting particles."
"The weak force is the mechanism that is responsible for beta decay."
"The other two are governed by electromagnetism and nuclear force."
"Radioactive decay is a stochastic (i.e., random) process at the level of single atoms."
"According to quantum theory, it is impossible to predict when a particular atom will decay, regardless of how long the atom has existed."
"The overall decay rate can be expressed as a decay constant or as half-life."
"The decaying nucleus is called the parent radionuclide (or parent radioisotope)."
"The process produces at least one daughter nuclide."
"The decay is a nuclear transmutation resulting in a daughter containing a different number of protons or neutrons (or both)."
"When the number of protons changes, an atom of a different chemical element is created."
"There are 28 naturally occurring chemical elements on Earth that are radioactive."
"Consisting of 34 radionuclides (6 elements have 2 different radionuclides) that date before the time of formation of the Solar System."
"Well-known examples are uranium and thorium."
"Also included are naturally occurring long-lived radioisotopes, such as potassium-40."
"Radioactive decay (also known as nuclear decay, radioactivity, radioactive disintegration, or nuclear disintegration)."
"All of which involve emitting particles... alpha, beta, and gamma decay, all of which involve emitting particles."
"The weak force is the mechanism that is responsible for beta decay, while the other two are governed by electromagnetism and nuclear force."
"The half-lives of radioactive atoms have a huge range; from nearly instantaneous to far longer than the age of the universe."