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Geek Culture / What causes the radioactive decay ?

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Keemo1000
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Joined: 26th May 2005
Location: 28th Dimension
Posted: 4th Feb 2006 11:46
What causes the radioactive decay ? I know how it was formed :-

According to the Big Bang theory, radioactive isotopes of the lightest elements (H, He, and traces of Li) were produced very shortly after the emergence of the universe. However, these structures are so highly unstable that virtually none of these original nuclides remain today. With this exception, all unstable nuclides were formed in stars (particularly supernovae).

But What causes it ?



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Pincho Paxton
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Posted: 4th Feb 2006 12:14
It's waves isn't it. Waves that cause decay by bumping atoms into a frenzy, rearranging them.

Les Horribres
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Location: My Name is... Merry
Posted: 4th Feb 2006 20:29
Electron Arrangment:
Simply put, as a particular element obtains more Neutrons, its size increases, this inturn decreases the force it's electrons can provide. This is from the aditional distance that the electrons travel. Although this force is against the structure of the nuclei, it is shown that the electrons are exerting some force that keeps the atom from collapsing in on its self. (Note: Only for atoms with high atomic masses)

Disruption:
I am not sure of the correct name for this, but it is the idea behind fission. As a heavy element gets bombarded by a fast moving neutron, the impact causes several bonds to break (Weak Forces?) which in turn affects the stability of the entire atom. Thus the nucleus splits into 2 nuclei which move in a direction that is due to the collision of the neutron.

Unequal Forces:
Another one I am not certain of the name, in this instance there is a part of the atom that has more or less force then the other parts, this location continually moves around until a neutron reverts to a proton, or a proton reverts to a nuetron.

Electro-Magnetivity:
I don't know any of these names, do I? This case is more associated with an atom being torn apart in a... dang it. This actually does have some pertanince to real world radiation, if the external forces exceed the internal forces, you get radiation. That being said, as pressure increases, radioactivity decreases. (Although very risky, the pressures have to be very great, and if you can't get to a particular pressure fast enough, the density of the radioactive substance will cause a nuclear explosion. (As radioactive substances radiate each other the total energy increases and may eventually cause a chain reaction).

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David T
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Posted: 4th Feb 2006 20:52 Edited at: 4th Feb 2006 20:52
The bigger an atom gets the more energy it has. However the thing all atoms want most of all is to have as little energy as possible. Normally energy is lost when atoms take part in exothermic reactions, however another way to lose energy is to simply spit it out.

Alpha decay - a bundle of two neutrons and two protons is ejected from the nucleus.

Beta decay - an neutron turns into a proton and an electron, the electron is emitted.

Gamma decay - gamma rays (x-rays) are emitted from the nucleus

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