4.2.1

Radioactivity

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Radioactivity

An atom can have an unstable nucleus. An unstable nucleus can become more stable over time by randomly (spontaneously) emitting ionising radiation. This process is called radioactive decay.

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Radioactive substances

  • Substances that decay radioactively are “radioactive substances”.
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Decay is random

  • We cannot predict when an individual atom will emit (produce) ionising radiation.

Jump to other topics

1Energy

2Electricity

3Particle Model of Matter

4Atoms & Radiation

5Forces

5.1Basics of Motion

5.2Forces

5.3Effects of Forces

5.4Pressure

6Waves

7Magnetism

8Astrophysics

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