radionucléides
Radionuclides, called radionucléides in French, are nuclides that are radioactive. A nuclide is a distinct form of an element defined by its proton and neutron count. Some elements have both stable and unstable forms; those unstable forms are radionuclides. Their nuclei are energetically unstable and decay over time, emitting radiation in the form of alpha, beta, or gamma rays and gradually transforming into different nuclides.
Key properties include half-life, decay mode, emitted radiation energy, and the chemical form. Half-lives span fractions
Radionuclides arise naturally or be manufactured. Naturally occurring radionuclides include uranium-238, uranium-235, thorium-232, and potassium-40. Synthetic
Safety and regulation are central to radionuclide use. Handling requires radiological protection, monitoring, containment, and appropriate
Examples of research and dating methods rely on radionuclides: radiotracers track processes in living systems; radiocarbon