Where does radioactivity come from?
physical changes in atoms
the nuclei of unstable isotopes
chemical reaction
the breaking of chemical bonds
please help
its B
Radioactivity originates from the nuclei of unstable isotopes. Isotopes are variations of elements that have the same number of protons but differ in the number of neutrons in their nuclei. Some isotopes are stable, meaning their nuclei do not change over time. However, there are other isotopes that are inherently unstable.
Unstable isotopes have an excess of energy in their nuclei, causing them to undergo a process known as radioactive decay. During this decay process, the unstable nuclei spontaneously release energy in the form of particles or electromagnetic waves. These emitted particles or waves are what we refer to as radioactivity.
The specific type of decay and particles/waves emitted can vary depending on the particular unstable isotope involved. Common types of radioactive decay include alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma decay.
It's important to note that radioactivity is a natural phenomenon, and it can also be artificially induced using nuclear reactions. Additionally, some chemical reactions can release energy, but they do not involve the breaking of chemical bonds as a primary source of radioactivity.