Concept explainers
How is a radioactive material different from a material that is not radioactive?
The difference between the radioactive material and a material that is not radioactive.
Answer to Problem 1CQ
Radioactive materials contain atoms that emit particles or energy radiations from nuclei in order to come to a stable state whereas no such behavior is shown by the materials that are not radioactive.
Explanation of Solution
Radioactivity is the voluntary emission of particles or energy from an atomic nucleus as it disintegrates. Radioactive materials emit radiations that are invisible to the human eye. It contains atoms that emit particles or energy from the nuclei in order to come to a stable state. This results in the change of identity of these atoms.
Therefore, radioactive material may decompose into different materials by undergoing Alpha emission, Beta emission or gamma emission. Non-radioactive or stable materials exhibit no such behavior. They do not emit any kind of radiation.
Conclusion:
Therefore, the radioactive materials contain atoms that emit particles or energy radiations from nuclei in order to come to a stable state whereas no such behavior is shown by the materials that are not radioactive.
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