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Physics vocabulary · Atomic and Nuclear Physics

Radioactive decay

Meaning in physics, with examples

nounCommon term

In physics, radioactive decay means: The random process in which an unstable nucleus breaks down by giving off radiation, such as alpha particles, beta particles or gamma rays, and often turns into a different element.

In Turkish: radyoaktif bozunma

How it is used

Decay is random: you cannot predict when one nucleus will decay, only the probability. Nuclei decay into daughter nuclei, and the activity of a sample is measured in becquerels (Bq). Common phrases: alpha decay, beta decay, decay chain, decay constant.

Example sentences

  1. Radioactive decay is random, but a large sample still decays in a predictable way.

  2. In this radioactive decay, uranium-238 emits an alpha particle and becomes thorium-234.

Common collocations

  • alpha decay
  • beta decay
  • gamma radiation
  • decay constant
  • undergo decay
  • half-lifeThe time it takes for half of the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay, or for its activity to fall to half. It is constant for a given isotope.
  • nucleusThe very small, dense centre of an atom, made of protons and neutrons. It contains almost all of the atom's mass and all of its positive charge.
  • isotopeOne of two or more forms of the same element whose atoms have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. Isotopes behave the same chemically but have different masses.
  • nuclear fissionThe splitting of a heavy nucleus, such as uranium-235, into two smaller nuclei, usually after it absorbs a neutron. It releases a large amount of energy and more neutrons.

More terms: Atomic and Nuclear Physics

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