What makes elements radioactive

Learn more. What makes elements radioactive? Ask Question. Asked 6 years, 11 months ago. Active 3 years, 6 months ago. Viewed 7k times. Improve this question. Mithoron 4, 12 12 gold badges 36 36 silver badges 55 55 bronze badges.

Okx Okx 1 1 silver badge 6 6 bronze badges. How is radioactivity measured? Radioactivity is a physical, not a biological, phenomenon. Simply stated, the radioactivity of a sample can be measured by counting how many atoms are spontaneously decaying each second. This can be done with instruments designed to detect the particular type of radiation emitted with each "decay" or disintegration. The actual number of disintegrations per second may be quite large. Scientists have agreed upon common units to use as a form of shorthand.

Thus, a curie abbreviated "Ci" and named after Pierre and Marie Curie, the discoverers of radium [87] is simply a shorthand way of writing "37,,, disintegrations per second," the rate of disintegration occurring in 1 gram of radium.

The more modern International System of Measurements SI unit for the same type of measurement is the becquerel abbreviated "Bq" and named after Henri Becquerel, the discoverer of radioactivity , which is simply a shorthand for "1 disintegration per second. Being unstable does not lead an atomic nucleus to emit radiation immediately.

Radioactivity is the random spontaneous disintegration of an atom of an element. The stability of the nucleus depends on the relative numbers of protons and neutrons present.

Statewide Public Records Request. The following radioactive elements are found naturally in the environment. Alpha Radiation Alpha radiation is a type of energy released when certain radioactive elements decay or break down.

Learn more about alpha radiation in drinking water Uranium Uranium is a radioactive element that can be found in soil, air, water, rocks, plants and food. Learn more about uranium in drinking water Radium Radium is a radioactive metal that can be found at varying levels throughout Vermont and the entire Earth—in soil, water, rocks, plants and food.

Learn more about radium in drinking water Radon Radon is a radioactive gas that has no color, smell or taste. Learn more about radon in indoor air and in drinking water Polonium Polonium Po is a radioactive material that occurs naturally at very low concentrations in the environment.

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