rádioaktívny

rádioaktívny is a Slovak adjective meaning radioactive. It describes a property of certain atomic nuclei that are unstable and spontaneously disintegrate, emitting radiation. This process is known as radioactive decay.

The radiation emitted can include alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays. These emissions carry energy and can interact with matter. The rate of decay for a radioactive substance is characterized by its half-life, which is the time it takes for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay.

Radioactivity has various applications in fields such as medicine (e.g., medical imaging, cancer treatment), industry (e.g., sterilization, gauging thickness), and scientific research. However, it also poses health risks due to the ionizing nature of the radiation, which can damage living tissues and increase the risk of cancer. Proper handling and shielding are essential when working with radioactive materials. The study of radioactivity falls under the domain of nuclear physics.