What is radioactive decay?

Discover the fascinating process of radioactive decay, where unstable atoms transform, releasing energy in the form of alpha, beta, and gamma emissions.

In a random moment, all energy is lost. The unstable subject cannot help but decay, slowly but surely, letting go of particles to become stable. It loses itself to become balanced again. This is a radioactive atom’s decay.

Look at the periodic table down below. Other than the blue, all elements depict some amount of radioactivity. The ones though at the bottom? They are the most unstable and display high radioactivity. When it comes to radioactivity, it’s all about the nucleus. Everything depends on it.

Other than the blue, all elements depict some amount of radioactivity. | Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

You see, we know radiation is energy. But where do the unstable atoms get this energy? The radiation emitted is because of a process called radioactive decay.

Unstable nuclei can produce three types of rays or particles each exhibiting different characteristics. In all three cases, the atom undergoes change.

In all three cases, the atom undergoes change. | Photo Credit: Picryl