Why are some elements radioactive while most are not?

Why are some elements radioactive while most elements are not? they have to many or to few neutrons present, and undergo radioactivity decay until nucleus is stable.

Why are some atoms radioactive and others not?

What causes atoms to be radioactive? Atoms found in nature are either stable or unstable. An atom is unstable (radioactive) if these forces are unbalanced; if the nucleus has an excess of internal energy. Instability of an atom’s nucleus may result from an excess of either neutrons or protons.

Why do some elements go through radioactive decay and others do not?

Have you ever wondered why some nuclei decay while others don’t? It’s basically a matter of thermodynamics. Every atom seeks to be as stable as possible. In the case of radioactive decay, instability occurs when there is an imbalance in the number of protons and neutrons in the atomic nucleus.

Do all elements have radioactive?

Typically, the most stable form of an element is the most common in nature. However, all elements have an unstable form. Unstable forms emit ionizing radiation and are radioactive. There are some elements with no stable form that are always radioactive, such as uranium.

Why are higher elements radioactive?

Many of the elements heavier than lead have nuclei so large that they are fairly unstable. Due to the instability, over time they eject a neutron or proton, or a neutron in the nucleus decays into a proton and electron. This is called radioactive decay, since the original nucleus is “decaying” into a more stable one.

Why are all new elements radioactive?

Radioactive elements form naturally, as a result of nuclear fission, and via intentional synthesis in nuclear reactors or particle accelerators. Natural radioisotopes may remain from nucleosynthesis in stars and supernova explosions.

Why are some elements radioactive?

Why some elements are radioactive (unstable). When the atoms of an element have extra neutrons or protons it creates extra energy in the nucleus and causes the atom to become unbalanced or unstable. Whether radioactive elements can become stable and if so, how. The unstable nucleus of radioactive atoms emit radiation.

Why are some atoms described as 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 is the difference between radiation and radioactive atoms?

Radiation in the form of radiant particles or rays, is the result of a nuclear disintegration. Radioactive materials are atoms that have stored energy and may disintegrate in the future, releasing radiation.

Why is uranium so radioactive?

Uranium is naturally radioactive: Its nucleus is unstable, so the element is in a constant state of decay, seeking a more stable arrangement. In fact, uranium was the element that made the discovery of radioactivity possible.

Is uranium man-made?

Uranium is the heaviest naturally-occurring element available in large quantities. The heavier “transuranic” elements are either man-made or they exist only as trace quantities in uranium ore deposits as activation products.

What is the most dangerous radioactive element?

Cesium-137 is one of the most dangerous radioactive elements, which is released after nuclear power plant accidents. When entering the human body, it has a disastrous effect.

What causes an element to be radioactive?

Radioactivity is caused when an atom, for whatever reason, wants to give away some of its energy. It does this because it wants to shift from an unstable configuration to a more stable configuration. The energy that is released when the atom makes this shift is known as radioactivity.

What are the naturally occurring radioactive elements?

Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) and Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (TENORM) consist of materials, usually industrial wastes or by-products enriched with radioactive elements found in the environment, such as uranium, thorium and potassium and any of their decay products, such as radium and radon.

Which element is more radioactive?

Naturally occurring elements that are radioactive are thorium, uranium, radium and polonium. Now other radioactive element exists in enough quantity to be detected by chemical means. Polonium is more radioactive than radium.