What happen when radioactive decay occurs in atoms of an unstable element?

Radioactive decay a the spontaneous process through which an unstable atomic nucleus breaks into smaller, more stable fragments. Every atom seeks to be as stable as possible. In the case of radioactive decay, instability occurs when there is an imbalance in the number of protons and neutrons in the atomic nucleus.

What happens to the nucleus during radioactive decay?

During radioactive decay, the identity of an atom changes. The atomic nuclei of radioactive isotopes release fast-moving particles and energy. This changes the identity of the atom to a different element by changing the atomic number in its nucleus.

What happens when unstable nuclei gain stability?

Unstable systems gain stability by losing energy. Unstable nuclei lose energy by emitting radiation in a spontaneous process called radioactive decay.

Why do unstable nuclei emit radiation?

Radiation is emitted from atoms when an unstable atom decays to become more stable. When an atom has extra neutrons or protons, it causes the element to become unstable.

What happens to isotopes during radioactive decay?

When isotopes decay they can lose some of their atomic particles (i.e. electrons and protons) and turn from one element into another. Sometimes isotopes decay from one unstable isotope into another unstable isotope. It finally ends up as a stable isotope as the element lead.

What happens to an unstable nucleus during radioactive decay quizlet?

An unstable nucleus releases energy by emitting radiation during the process of radioactive decay. Transmutation can occur by radioactive decay. It can also occur when two particles bombard the nucleus of an atom.

How does nuclear decay help unstable nuclei become more stable?

An unstable nucleus tries to become more stable by decaying into another nucleus. When a nucleus emits an alpha or beta particle, the new nucleus has excess energy. It can release this excess energy by emitting gamma rays. Thus, thorium-234 becomes more stable by releasing gamma rays and a beta particle.

What happens to unstable nuclei?

Nuclei with too many, or too few, neutrons do exist naturally but are unstable and will disintegrate (or decay) by emitting radiation. This is called radioactive decay.

What are isotopes that have unstable nuclei and undergo radioactive decay?

Many elements have one or more isotopes that are radioactive. These isotopes are called radioisotopes. An example of a radioisotope is carbon-14. The nuclei of radioisotopes are unstable, so they constantly decay and emit radiation.

Do unstable isotopes emit radioactivity when they decay?

Unstable forms emit ionizing radiation and are radioactive. There are some elements with no stable form that are always radioactive, such as uranium. Elements that emit ionizing radiation are called radionuclides. When it decays, a radionuclide transforms into a different atom – a decay product.

Do radioactive isotopes have stable nuclei?

Radioactive isotopes are often called radioisotopes. Elements with atomic numbers of 83 and less, have isotopes (stable nucleus) and most have at least one radioisotope (unstable nucleus). As a radioisotope tries to stabilize, it may transform into a new element in a process called transmutation.