A property of unstable isotopes. which undergo spontaneous atomic readjustment with the liberation of particles and/or energy (e.g., alpha or beta particles, neutrons, and gamma rays). Alpha and beta enmission change the chemical nature of the element involved. The loss of energy will result in the decay or transformation of the unstable isotope into a stable isotope; or transmutation into an isotope of another element, sometimes giving rise to emission of neutrons. The process of radioactive decay is one of conversion of mass to energy in accordance with Einstein's relationship, E = mc2. Nearly all of the energy of emitted particles and photons is converted to heat in the near vicinity of the radioactive parent. This is one means by which the temperature of the earth is maintained.
terms:radioactivity
terms/radioactivity.txt · Last modified: 2023/11/22 08:42 by 127.0.0.1