radioactive decay
gradual reduction in the number of radioactive atoms in material
Radioactive decay
"Radioactive" and "Radioactivity" redirect here. For other uses see
Radioactive (disambiguation).For decay rate in a more general context see
Particle decay. Radioactive decay is the process in which an unstable
atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting
radiation in the form of
particles or
electromagnetic waves. This decay, or loss of energy, results in an atom of one type, called the parent nuclide transforming to an atom of a different type, called the daughter nuclide. For example: a carbon-14 atom (the "parent") emits radiation and transforms to a nitrogen-14 atom (the "daughter.") This is a
random process on the atomic level, in that it is impossible to predict when a particular atom will decay, but given a large number of similar atoms, the decay rate, on average, is predictable.
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radioactive decay
Noun
1. the spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance along with the emission of ionizing radiation
(synonym) decay, disintegration
(hypernym) nuclear reaction
(hyponym) alpha decay
radioactive decay
The decrease in the radiation intensity of any radioactive material with respect to time. 1/3/73
décroissance de la radioactivité
Diminution de l'intensité du rayonnement d'une matière radioactive en fonction du temps. 1/3/73
Radioactive Decay
Spontaneous change in an atom by emission of of charged particles and/or gamma rays; also known as radioactive disintegration and radioactivity.