
Radioactivity | Definition, Types, Applications, & Facts | Britannica
Dec 6, 2025 · Radioactivity, property exhibited by certain types of matter of emitting energy and subatomic particles spontaneously. It is, in essence, an attribute of individual atomic nuclei.
Radioactive decay - Wikipedia
Radioactive decay (also known as nuclear decay, radioactivity, radioactive disintegration, or nuclear disintegration) is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by radiation.
Radioactivity: Definition, Types, Formula, and Applications
Jun 10, 2025 · Radioactivity occurs when an atom has an excess of energy, mass, or both, making its nucleus unstable. To reach a lower, more stable energy level, it releases energy in the form of …
DOE Explains...Radioactivity - Department of Energy
Radioactivity is the release of energy from the decay of the nuclei of certain kinds of atoms and isotopes. Atomic nuclei consist of protons and neutrons bound together in tiny bundles at the center of atoms.
Radioactivity and the Types of Radioactive Decay
May 30, 2021 · Radioactivity is the spontaneous emission of ionizing radiation from nuclear decay and reactions. The three main types of radioactive decay are alpha, beta, and gamma decay, but there …
Radiation Basics | Nuclear Regulatory Commission
These forces within the atom work toward a strong, stable balance by getting rid of excess atomic energy (radioactivity). In that process, unstable nuclei may emit a quantity of energy, and this …
The Science Behind Radioactive Elements
May 1, 2025 · This article will take you through the depths of atomic structure, the mechanics of radioactivity, the different types of decay, the history of its discovery, the technological and medical …
Radioactivity - HyperPhysics
Radioactive decay rates are normally stated in terms of their half-lives, and the half-life of a given nuclear species is related to its radiation risk. The different types of radioactivity lead to different …
Radiation in Everyday Life - International Atomic Energy Agency
Radioactivity is the term used to describe disintegration of atoms. The atom can be characterized by the number of protons in the nucleus. Some natural elements are unstable. Therefore, their nuclei …
Radioactivity - Definition, Laws, Occurrence, Applications
Jul 23, 2025 · The ability of certain forms of matter to emit energy and subatomic particles spontaneously is known as radioactivity. It's essentially a property of individual atomic nuclei.