what is atom decay?
In: 6
Many Atoms are inherently unstable. Their atomic nuclei are made up of an unstable number of Protons and Neutrons. Basically they are too heavy to hold together forever.
These unstable Atoms are referred to as *radioactive*
Given enough time the nucleus will break apart releasing energy in the form of radiation. This takes many forms like an Alpha Particle which is a Helium atom, a Beta Praticle which is an Electron or Positron, or Gamma radiation which is a Photon (Gamma ray)
The result is the Atom decays into a lighter element.
The amount of time this takes is measured as an Atoms *half life* which is the amount of time that it takes for half of an amount of that Atom to decay into lighter elements.
The resulting lighter elements can either be radioactive themselves and decay further, or something stable.
If you mean radioactive decay, it is the process of a radioactive material losing its radioactive energy by shedding neutrons? I believe. This is called it’s half life. Which is how long it takes for half the material to decay. And then the same amount of time again for half of what’s left to decay and so on. Overtime this can change what the element actually is as it’s atomic structure loses particles until it becomes stable and doesn’t lose anymore.
It’s the process by which an unstable atom becomes a more stable one. The unstable atom loses energy by emitting radiation, which in some cases can cause the atom to become a different element. There are many different kinds of decay, which are defined by what kind of radiation is emitted by the atom.
Latest Answers