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Nuclear radiation Typeit
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At the centre of any atom is a nucleus. Different nuclei of the same element are called of each other if they have different numbers of neutrons. Nuclei of the same element always have the same number of .
Some nuclei are unstable, meaning they can undergo nuclear decay, where they emit a particle or electromagnetic radiation, which changes the properties of the nuclei.
decay causes the nucleus to lose two protons and two neutrons, which leaves the nucleus as a single, new helium nucleus.
decay causes the nucleus to eject a fast-moving electron, which changes the atomic number, but not the mass number, of the nucleus.
decay causes the nucleus to decrease in energy by releasing electromagnetic radiation, but the identity of the nucleus is unchanged.
decay causes the nucleus to change into a different isotope of the same element.
Each of these types of radiation can other atoms, knocking off electrons. This makes radiation very dangerous as it can damage healthy cells and cause mutations.
When radioactive material gets onto or into another substance, this is known as . When a substance is exposed to radiation, this is known as .
The of a radioactive sample is how many nuclear decays happen in that sample in a given time. The time taken for this number to fall to half its original value is called its .