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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.
Apr 22, 2024 · Radioactive decay is the emission of energy in the form of ionizing radiation. Example decay chains illustrate how radioactive atoms can go through many transformations as they become stable and no longer radioactive.
May 3, 2024 · The radioactive decay formula is a fundamental equation that describes the exponential decrease in the number of radioactive atoms over time. This formula is essential for understanding and calculating the rate of radioactive decay and the concept of half-life.
- The Discovery of Radioactivity
- Types of Radioactive Decay
- What Causes Radioactive Decay?
- Is Radioactive Decay Predictable?
- Is Radioactive Decay A Chemical Process?
- Additional Resources
In the late 1800s scientists discovered X-rays, a high-energy form of radiation, and were wondering if other kinds of "rays" were bouncing around. Simultaneously, scientists were just beginning to explore the nature of phosphorescence, the ability of some materials to glow after being exposed to X-rays. French scientist Henri Becquerel was experime...
The Curies and other scientists found that radioactive elements emitted three kinds of radiation as they underwent this transmutation process. Alpha radiation, can be blocked easily with nothing more than a sheet of paper. Beta radiation, requires something heftier, like a metal sheet. Gamma-rays, require an entire block of lead to be stopped, acco...
It wasn't until physicists had a quantum model of the atomthat they were able to understand what was going on with radioactive decay. They found that the atomic nucleus was really a loose, gooey bag of protons and neutrons all sloshing around against each other. That gooey bag had a lot of complicated physics going on inside it. For one, there's th...
Radioactive decay is totally random. If you were to take a single atom, you would never be able to predict exactly when that atom will decay. This is because even highly unstable nuclei are bound together. There's still a strong force "bag" holding all the sloshing protons and neutrons inside it. The atom might prefer to have a different combinatio...
In classical physics, radioactive decay could never happen, because it is not possible spend energy that does not exist. Quantum mechanics allows for this to happen, but it does so randomly. Every once in a while, a slightly unstable atomic nucleus will spontaneously decay into something else. Even though we can never know when a single atom will d...
The book “Marie Curie and Radioactivity”is a great illustrated resource for younger readers to introduce them to the concept of radioactivity and the pioneering work of Marie Curie. For older readers, try out "Radioactivity: A History of a Mysterious Science"by Marjorie C. Malley. Steve Weatherall gives a great Ted-ED presentation about radioactivi...
During radioactive decay, an unstable nucleus (the "parent") spontaneously changes to become a different nucleus (the "daughter"), emitting radiation in the process. The nuclear radiation emitted during radioactive decay is high energy, ionizing radiation.
- 8 min
- Mahesh Shenoy
May 9, 2024 · Radioactivity, property exhibited by certain types of matter of emitting energy and subatomic particles spontaneously. It is, in essence, an attribute of individual atomic nuclei.
The spontaneous change of an unstable nuclide into another is radioactive decay. The unstable nuclide is called the parent nuclide; the nuclide that results from the decay is known as the daughter nuclide. The daughter nuclide may be stable, or it may decay itself.
