Why are the radioactive elements considered elements if they eventually decay into lead?

Question

If the definition of an element is a chemical substance that cannot be broken down into other substances, then aren’t the radioactive elements just extra-spicy lead?

In: 0

Answer 1

Your definition is missing a key part. An element is a chemical substance that cannot be broken down * in a chemical reaction *. Nuclear decay is not a chemical reaction, so the definition holds.