Radioactive Decay
Physics: Edexcel IGCSE, topic 7.2.1
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.
Radioactive substances
- Substances that decay radioactively are “radioactive substances”.
Decay is random
- We cannot predict when an individual atom will emit (produce) ionising radiation.
Detecting ionising radiation
- Ionising radiation can be detected using:
- A Geiger-Müller detector.
- Photographic film.
Test yourself on Radioactive Decay
How is radioactive decay triggered?
Which of the following are true of radioactive decay and nuclei?