Question

name: teacher: schools q1 chemistry: u2l7 avg. atomic mass & mass spec calcs rev. date: 1. what is a radioactive isotope? 2. why do radioactive isotopes ‘decay?’ 3. what are the three main types of radioactive decay? 4. *what is the difference between a radioactive isotope and a stable isotope? 5. besides the two applications of radioactive isotopes mentioned in the article, find a different application of radioactive isotope in either medicine, agriculture, or industry online. list the exact radioactive isotope and its uses.

Explanation:

1. A radioactive isotope is an unstable form of an element that emits radiation as it decays to a more stable state.
2. Radioactive isotopes decay because their nuclei are unstable due to an imbalance of protons and neutrons.
3. The three main types of radioactive decay are alpha - decay (emission of an alpha particle), beta - decay (emission of a beta particle), and gamma - decay (emission of gamma rays).
4. A radioactive isotope is unstable and emits radiation during decay, while a stable isotope has a stable nucleus and does not emit radiation spontaneously.
5. For example, technetium - 99m is a radioactive isotope used in medical imaging. It emits gamma rays which can be detected to create images of internal organs.

Answer:

1. An unstable form of an element emitting radiation during decay to a stable state.
2. Due to unstable nuclei from proton - neutron imbalance.
3. Alpha - decay, beta - decay, gamma - decay.
4. Radioactive is unstable and emits radiation; stable is not and doesn't.
5. Technetium - 99m is used in medical imaging to create organ images by emitting gamma rays.