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Radioactive decay is the spontaneous breakdown of a nucleus into smaller parts.

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Q: What is the best definition of radioactive decay?
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What is an unstable nucleus that starts a decay process called?

A nucleus that starts to decay is called a radioactive nucleus or atom. It decays with a known and unique half life by several processes including but not limited to beta decay, alpha decay, electron capture decay, and positron emission.


Radioactive decay do not involve electrons?

Radioactive decay may or may not involve electrons. There are different types of radioactive decay.


When an isotope is blank it does not undergo radioactive decay?

when an isotope is it does not undergo radioactive decay


What are the properties of radioactive decay?

Radioactive decay has the following properties: 1. No element can completely decay. 2. The number of atoms decaying in a particular period is proportional to the number of atoms present in the beginning of that period. 3. Estimate of radioactive decay can be made by half life and decay constant of a radioactive element.


Is this true radioactivity and radioactive decay are two distinct phenomena?

True and False. Radioactivity is a characteristic of unstable atomic nuclei, whereas radioactive decay is the process that a radioactive nucleus undergoes when it decays due to its instability.Argument for true: Radioactivity is the tendency to undergo radioactive decay.Argument for false: The two terms are unrelated because one is a characteristic and the other is a process, and, therefore, the question misunderstands the definition of the terms.You choose your definition. This writer prefers false.

Related questions

Is the best definition of radioactive decay?

Radioactive decay is the spontaneous breakdown of a nucleus into smaller parts.


What is the source of heat in the Earth's interior?

The decay of radioactive isotopes.The decay of radioactive isotopes.The decay of radioactive isotopes.The decay of radioactive isotopes.


What is the source of heat in the Earth interior?

The decay of radioactive isotopes.The decay of radioactive isotopes.The decay of radioactive isotopes.The decay of radioactive isotopes.


What is an unstable nucleus that starts a decay process called?

A nucleus that starts to decay is called a radioactive nucleus or atom. It decays with a known and unique half life by several processes including but not limited to beta decay, alpha decay, electron capture decay, and positron emission.


Radioactive decay do not involve electrons?

Radioactive decay may or may not involve electrons. There are different types of radioactive decay.


Definition of gamma rays?

Penetrating electromagnetic radiation of a kind arising from the radioactive decay of atomic nuclei.


When radioactive isotopes break down into other elements the process is called?

radioactive decay


How is the radioactive decay of Krypton different from the radioactive decay of Americium?

The radioactive decay of americium 241 is by alpha disintegration; the disintegration of radioactive krypton isotopes is by beta particles emission.


When an isotope is blank it does not undergo radioactive decay?

when an isotope is it does not undergo radioactive decay


What is lost during radioactive decay?

Decay energy is the energy that has been freed during radioactive decay. When radioactive decay is ongoing it drops off some energy by means of discharging radiation.


What are advantages of radioactive decay?

One reason is that radioactive decay heats the earths interior


What best definition radioactive decay?

The process by which the nucleus of an unstable atom loses energy by emitting radiation, including alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, and conversion electrons.