I. Natural Radioactivity
Radioactivity is a natural phenomenon occurring in isotopes of elements with atomic numbers 20 and higher. This takes place in isotopes of elements with unstable atomic nuclei. Radiation-emitting isotopes are called radioisotopes. When an atom has an unstable nucleus, the number of protons and neutrons are not balanced and there are either too many protons or there are too few of it. This imbalance causes the nuclei to spontaneously decompose to form a more stable nucleus. During this process, energy or particles are released and this is known as radiation.
There are three types of radiation. These are either in ...