Can a nucleus become radioactive?
Inside the stable nucleus, the protons and the neutrons exist together. But when the number of neutron becomes greater than that of protons, then the nucleus becomes unstable which results in the conversion of a neutron into a proton emitting a beta particle in the process. Then a nucleus is said to be radioactive.
What causes radioactivity to happen?
When the atoms of an element have extra neutrons or protons it creates extra energy in the nucleus and causes the atom to become unbalanced or unstable. Whether radioactive elements can become stable and if so, how. The unstable nucleus of radioactive atoms emit radiation.
What causes a nucleus to be unstable?
In summary it is the balance of protons and neutrons in a nucleus which determines whether a nucleus will be stable or unstable. Too many neutrons or protons upset this balance disrupting the binding energy from the strong nuclear forces making the nucleus unstable.
What is a radioactive nucleus?
Radioactive nuclei are nuclei that are unstable and that decay by emitting energetic particles such as photons, electrons, neutrinos, protons, neutrons, or alphas (two protons and two neutrons bound together). Some of these particles are known as ionizing particles.
What does radioactive mean?
1 : the giving off of rays of energy or particles by the breaking apart of atoms of certain elements (as uranium) 2 : the rays or particles that are given off when atoms break apart. radioactivity. noun. ra·dio·ac·tiv·i·ty | -ak-ˈtiv-ət-ē
How do you know if a nucleus is radioactive or stable?
0:434:53Stable and Unstable Nuclei | Radioactivity | Physics | FuseSchoolYouTube
What determines if an atom is radioactive?
Atoms are radioactive if the protons and neutrons in the nucleus are configured in an unstable way. For low numbers of protons (Z), the number of neutrons (N) required to maintain a stable balance is roughly equal to the number of protons.
What is radioactive nuclei?
Radioactive nuclei are nuclei that are unstable and that decay by emitting energetic particles such as photons, electrons, neutrinos, protons, neutrons, or alphas (two protons and two neutrons bound together). Some of these particles are known as ionizing particles.
What is the process of radioactivity?
Radioactivity is the process by which a nucleus of an unstable atom loses energy by emitting particles of ionizing radiation, As each nucleus disintegrates, in its effort to find a more stable combination, it emits a charged particle that, because of its kinetic energy, is capable of penetrating solid material.
Where does radioactivity occur?
Radioactivity is a part of our earth – it has existed all along. Naturally occurring radioactive materials are present in its crust, the floors and walls of our homes, schools, or offices and in the food we eat and drink. There are radioactive gases in the air we breathe.