radionucleus

A radionucleus is an atom that contains an unstable nucleus and therefore undergoes radioactive decay. This instability arises from an imbalance in the number of protons and neutrons within the nucleus. Radioactive decay is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation in the form of particles or electromagnetic waves. This emission results in the transformation of the original nucleus into a different nucleus, often of a different element.

The rate at which a radionucleus decays is characterized by its half-life, which is the time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay. Half-lives can vary dramatically, from fractions of a second to billions of years, depending on the specific radionucleus. Common types of radioactive decay include alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma decay. Alpha decay involves the emission of an alpha particle (two protons and two neutrons), beta decay involves the emission of an electron or positron and a neutrino, and gamma decay involves the emission of high-energy photons.

Radionuclei have various applications, including in medicine for diagnostic imaging and cancer treatment, in industry for sterilization and gauging thickness, and in scientific research for dating ancient artifacts and studying geological processes. However, due to their ionizing radiation, radionuclei also pose health risks and require careful handling and disposal.