Radioisotopes

Radioisotopes

Isotopes of an atom that are unstable and prone to radioactive decay.

Radioactive Decay

The spontaneous process when an unstable nucleus transforms into a more stable form, emitting radiation.

Alpha Decay

A type of radioactive decay where an alpha particle (two protons and two neutrons) is emitted, causing the atomic number to decrease by 2 and the mass number to decrease by 4.

Beta Decay

A type of radioactive decay that occurs when a proton is converted into a neutron, emitting a high-speed electron, while the atomic number decreases by 1 with mass number remaining constant.

Gamma Decay

A type of radioactive decay where excess energy is emitted from the nucleus in the form of gamma rays, without any change to the atomic or mass number.

Half-life

The time required for half of the quantity of a radioactive nucleus to decay.

Carbon Dating

A method used to date objects by examining the ratio of carbon isotopes present, allowing scientists to estimate the age of an object.