What is meant by radioactivity?

What is meant by radioactivity?

As its name implies, radioactivity is the act of emitting radiation spontaneously. This is done by an atomic nucleus that, for some reason, is unstable; it “wants” to give up some energy in order to shift to a more stable configuration.

What is radioactivity and examples?

Radioactivity is the spontaneous emission of radiation in the form of particles or high energy photons resulting from a nuclear reaction. For example, a light bulb may emit radiation in the forms of heat and light, yet it is not radioactive.

What is meant by natural radioactivity?

The phenomenon of spontaneous and continuous and uncontrollable disintegration of an unstable nucleus accompanied by the emission of active radiations is called natural radioactivity. The substance which exhibits radioactivity is called a radioactive substance. e.g. Uranium, thorium, radium, etc.

What causes an atom to be radioactive?

Why Are Some Atoms Radioactive? The delicate balance of forces among particles keeps the nucleus stable. Any change in the number, the arrangement, or the energy of the nucleons can upset this balance and cause the nucleus to become unstable and create a radioactive atom.

What are the three types of natural radiation?

Natural background radiation comes from the following three sources:

• Cosmic Radiation.
• Terrestrial Radiation.
• Internal Radiation.

Which type of radiation is most harmful?

Alpha particles are the most harmful internal hazard as compared with gamma rays and beta particles. Radioactive materials that emit alpha and beta particles are most harmful when swallowed, inhaled, absorbed, or injected. Gamma rays are the most harmful external hazard.

What does 1 Becquerel represent?

As such, 1 Bq represents a rate of radioactive decay equal to 1 disintegration per second, and 37 billion (3.7 x 1010) Bq equals 1 curie (Ci). …