What is radioactivity all about?
Unstable atomic nuclei spontaneously decompose to form stabler nuclei. This decomposition of unstable nuclei of heavy elements is known as radioactivity. The process of decomposition leads to an emission of different kinds of particles as also the emission of energy. The nuclei of unstable atoms break down due to their instability. Their breakdown is known as the decay of atoms resulting in the formation of stable nuclei accompanied by radiation of energy. Nuclear fission can also result in radioactivity. Fission, either spontaneous or one which is initiated in a nuclear reactor releases energy when heavy nuclei split. The atomic nuclei, which tend to decompose to form stable atoms and emit energy, are called radioactive elements. Radioactive elements such as uranium, potassium and thorium as also the isotopes of elements like carbon, bismuth and strontium decay to form lighter atoms. The energy they release during this process is in the form of fast moving particles and high-energy wa
Unstable atomic nuclei spontaneously decompose to form stabler nuclei. This decomposition of unstable nuclei of heavy elements is known as radioactivity. The process of decomposition leads to an emission of different kinds of particles as also the emission of energy. The nuclei of unstable atoms break down due to their instability. Their breakdown is known as the decay of atoms resulting in the formation of stable nuclei accompanied by radiation of energy. Nuclear fission can also result in radioactivity. Fission, either spontaneous or one which is initiated in a nuclear reactor releases energy when heavy nuclei split. The atomic nuclei, which tend to decompose to form stable atoms and emit energy, are called radioactive elements. Radioactive elements such as uranium, potassium and thorium as also the isotopes of elements like carbon, bismuth and strontium decay to form lighter atoms. The energy they release during this process is in the form of fast moving particles and high-energy wa
