rádiaaktívny

Rádiaktívny describes a property of certain atomic nuclei that are unstable. These nuclei spontaneously transform, or decay, into more stable forms by emitting energy and particles. This process is known as radioactive decay. The emissions can take the form of alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays, each with different properties and penetrating power.

The rate at which a radioactive substance decays is characterized by its half-life, the time it takes for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay. Half-lives can range from fractions of a second to billions of years, depending on the specific isotope.

Radioactivity has various applications in fields like medicine, for diagnostic imaging and cancer treatment, and in industry, for sterilization and material analysis. However, radioactive materials also pose health risks due to the ionizing nature of their emissions, which can damage living tissues and DNA. Consequently, strict safety protocols are in place for handling and storing radioactive substances. The study of radioactivity and its effects is called radiochemistry or nuclear physics.