eli5 How can non-radioactive elements and materials become radioactive?

Question

I understand how uranium is radioactive because it essentially tears itself apart but what I don’t understand is how like plastic and metal tools used to handle it becomes radioactive.

In: 1

Answer 1

This can happen in a few different ways:

One way is through a process called nuclear decay. This is when an unstable nucleus, or the center of an atom, breaks apart and releases energy in the form of radiation. This can happen naturally over time, or it can be caused by things like exposure to other types of radiation or high temperatures.

Another way is through nuclear reactions. This is when two or more atoms combine or split apart to form new atoms, which can give off radiation. This can happen in a nuclear power plant, where atoms are split apart to create energy, or in a nuclear bomb, where atoms are combined to create a powerful explosion.