Radioactivity

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-023019",
  "term": "Radioactivity",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. Energy emitted as particles or rays during the decay of an unstable isotope to a stable isotope.\n\n2. The property of some atoms that causes them to spontaneously give off energy as particles or photon quanta. Radioactive atoms emit ionizing radiation when they decay and transform into a new element. The units used to measure radioactivity are becquerel (Bq) and curie (Ci).\n\n3. The spontaneous emission of radiation, generally alpha or beta particles, often accompanied by gamma rays, from the nucleus of an unstable atom.\n\n4. Emission of ionizing radiation released by a source in a given time period. The units used to measure radioactivity are curie (Ci) and becquerel (Bq).",
  "subject": "Air",
  "references": [
    "Environmental Geophysics Glossary",
    "Radiation Protection Radiation Glossary; RadTown Glossary",
    "DOE Office of Legacy Management Glossary",
    "Radiation Protection Radiation Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/radioactivity/"
}