How do unstable or radioactive atoms become stable?

Unstable atoms will attempt to become stable by changing into a new isotope or element, and energy is released in the form of ionizing radiation until the forces in the nucleus are balanced and stable. The series of changes that a given radioactive element undergoes is called a decay chain.

How can radioactive decay make a nucleus more stable?

In nuclear decay reactions (or radioactive decay), the parent nucleus is converted to a more stable daughter nucleus. Nuclei with too many neutrons decay by converting a neutron to a proton, whereas nuclei with too few neutrons decay by converting a proton to a neutron.

How do radioactive materials become stable?

A radioactive atom will attempt to reach stability by ejecting nucleons (protons or neutrons), as well as other particles, or by releasing energy in other forms. Another measure of stability is binding energy, the amount of energy needed to overcome the strong nuclear force and pull apart a nucleus.

When an atom is unstable it generally emits energy and or particles to become more stable What is this energy and or particles known as collectively?

Unstable atoms undergo nuclear processes that cause them to become more stable. One such process involves emitting excess energy from the nucleus. This process is called radioactivity or radioactive decay. The energy released from unstable (radioactive) atoms is called nuclear radiation.

How is the stability of a nuclide related to nuclear energy?

Nuclear stability refers to the tendency of a nucleus of an atom to decay, which means to change into something else. If the isotope of an element (called a nuclide) is unstable (not stable), the nuclide has the tendency of emitting some kind of radiation, and is called radioactive.

How do you know if a nuclide is stable?

The principal factor for determining whether a nucleus is stable is the neutron to proton ratio. Elements with (Z<20) are lighter and these elements’ nuclei and have a ratio of 1:1 and prefer to have the same amount of protons and neutrons.

How can an element have both stable and unstable nuclei?

Starts here4:53Stable and Unstable Nuclei | Radioactivity | Physics | FuseSchoolYouTube

What is unstable in radioactive materials?

Radioactive atoms are unstable; that is, they have too much energy. When radioactive atoms spon- taneously release their extra energy, they are said to decay. All radioactive atoms decay eventually, though they do not all decay at the same rate. This Fact Sheet explains the process of radioactive decay.

What happens to an element that undergoes alpha decay?

In radioactive decay, an atom will lose protons, and therefore forms new elements. In alpha decay, an alpha particle (a helium nucleus) is emitted from the radioactive atom, and the atom therefore loses 2 protons, and becomes a new element.

What happens to the daughter nuclide during radioactive decay?

The daughter nuclide may be stable, or it may decay itself. The radiation produced during radioactive decay is such that the daughter nuclide lies closer to the band of stability than the parent nuclide, so the location of a nuclide relative to the band of stability can serve as a guide to the kind of decay it will undergo ( Figure 1 ). Figure 1.

What is the heaviest element with a stable radioactive decay?

Lead, atomic number 82, is the heaviest element to have any isotopes stable (to the limit of measurement) to radioactive decay. Radioactive decay is seen in all isotopes of all elements of atomic number 83 (bismuth) or greater.

What is the spontaneous change of an unstable nuclide into another?

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.

What are the different types of radioactive decay?

What are the different types of radioactive decay? 1 Alpha Decay. In alpha decay, the unstable parent nuclide emits an alpha particle. 2 Beta Decay. In beta decay, the parent nuclide emits a beta particle. 3 Gamma Decay. There is no change in the proton number and nucleon number. 4 Radioactive Decay Series. Sometimes the daughter nuclide