radioaktivitással

Radioaktivitás is the spontaneous breakdown of unstable atomic nuclei, releasing energy and particles. This process, known as radioactive decay, transforms the parent atom into a different element or isotope. The energy emitted can take the form of alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays. Alpha particles are helium nuclei, beta particles are electrons or positrons, and gamma rays are high-energy photons. The rate of decay is characterized by the half-life, the time it takes for half of a radioactive substance to decay. Different isotopes have vastly different half-lives, ranging from fractions of a second to billions of years.

The discovery of radioactivity is credited to Henri Becquerel in 1896, who observed that uranium salts emitted rays that could penetrate opaque materials. Marie and Pierre Curie further investigated this phenomenon, coining the term "radioactivity" and discovering new radioactive elements like polonium and radium. Radioactivity has numerous applications, including in nuclear power generation, medical imaging and treatment, and archaeological dating. However, it also poses health risks due to the ionizing nature of the emitted radiation, which can damage living tissues and DNA. Consequently, strict safety protocols are in place for handling radioactive materials.