Radioactive Decay

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-023005",
  "term": "Radioactive Decay",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. Spontaneous change in an atom by emission of charged particles and/or gamma rays.\n\n2. The process in which an unstable (radioactive) nucleus emits radiation and changes to a more stable nucleus.\n\n3. Spontaneous change in an atom by emission of of charged particles and/or gamma rays; also known as radioactive disintegration and radioactivity.\n\n4. Spontaneous emission of particles (alpha or beta) and gamma rays from the nucleus of an unstable nuclide. The resulting product nucleus may be stable or unstable, in which case decay continues until a stable nuclide is formed.\n\n5. Process of spontaneous nuclear transformation, whereby an isotope of one element is transformed into an isotope of another element, releasing excess energy in the form of radiation.\n\n6. Process in which an unstable (radioactive) nucleus emits radiation and changes to a more stable isotope or element.\n\n7. In nuclear physics, the process of disintegration of an unstable radioisotope by the spontaneous emission of charged particles or photons.",
  "subject": "Air",
  "references": [
    "Terms of Environment",
    "RadNet Glossary; Radiation Protection Radiation Glossary",
    "USGS Definition of Terms at pubs.usgs.gov/ha/ha747/.../definition.pdf",
    "40 CFR Appendix A to Part 300 (CFR 2013)",
    "Radiation Protection Radiation Glossary",
    "Adapted from Environmental Geophysics Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/radioactive-decay/"
}