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In: Chemistry

what makes an atom radioactive? Alot of details please

what makes an atom radioactive?

Alot of details please

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Expert Solution

Atoms of a particular element can have different compositions in their nucleus. The number of protons determines what element the atom is, but the number of neutrons can vary.

For example, the nucleus of a carbon atom always has six protons, but the number of neutrons can range from three to eleven. Atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons are both "isotopes" of the same element. Some are naturally occurring, and some can only be prepared in a laboratory.

If the nucleus of a particular isotope is unstable, it can undergo a nuclear reaction in which the nucleus "decays". There are many modes of decay - alpha particle emission, proton emission, beta-negative emission, etc. - all of which involve some new particle being ejected from the atom. If the nucleus is unstable, then the reaction will occur and the isotope is considered radioactive. Some reactions occur at much faster rates than others, and the amounts of energy released upon reaction vary greatly.

queen_honey_blossom answered 2 years ago
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