What will happen if the atom is not stable?

An unstable atom has excess internal energy, with the result that the nucleus can undergo a spontaneous change towards a more stable form. This is called ‘radioactive decay’. Each element exists in the form of atoms with several different sized nuclei, called isotopes.

What happens to unstable elements?

The unstable nucleus of radioactive atoms emit radiation. When this occurs, a new atom and element are formed. This process is called radioactive decay. It continues until the forces in the unstable nucleus are balanced.

How long do atoms remain in your body?

Experts in this area of research have concluded that there is a complete, 100 percent turnover of atoms in the body at least every five years.

What makes an atom stable or unstable?

Atoms found in nature are either stable or unstable. An atom is stable if the forces among the particles that makeup the nucleus are balanced. An atom is unstable (radioactive) if these forces are unbalanced; if the nucleus has an excess of internal energy.

Are all unstable atoms radioactive?

All elements with atomic numbers greater than 83 are radioisotopes meaning that these elements have unstable nuclei and are radioactive. Elements with atomic numbers of 83 and less, have isotopes (stable nucleus) and most have at least one radioisotope (unstable nucleus).

Which particle is unstable?

Neutron is unstable among the four. It decays into proton, electron and an anti-particle called anti-neutrino.

What is meant by stability of atom?

A stable atom is an atom that has enough binding energy to hold the nucleus together permanently. An unstable atom does not have enough binding energy to hold the nucleus together permanently and is called a radioactive atom.

What happens when an atom loses a neutron?

And if an atom doesn’t have the “correct” number of neutrons, sometimes, the atom may lose a neutron (kind of like how you lose a sock in the wash). When this happen, the atom becomes unstable and, in an attempt to become a stable atom, it shoots off subatomic particles. Most often, the atom will shoot off an electron.

What happens to our atoms when we die?

When we die, our bodies do not turn into nothing; rather, they are broken down into their constituent parts and recycled into the ecosystem. In short, our atoms go on long after we are gone. But just how long can atoms last?

What does it mean when the nucleus is unstable?

Nuclear Instability, or Radioactivity When an atomic nucleus has an excess of protons or neutrons, it throws them off in an effort to achieve a balanced state. Because of the strength of the force holding the nucleus together, the particles that emerge from unstable nuclei, which are called radionuclides, are very energetic.

What happens to an atom after it emits radioactive radiation?

The atom continues to emit radioactive radiation until it achieves a stable number of protons and neutrons. The time it takes for half of a given sample of particular isotope to decay into a stable form is called its half-life.