Question

Explain what must occur before a radioactive atom stops to undergo further radioactive decay.

Short answer

A radioactive atom will stop undergoing further radioactive decay when it reaches a stable isotope. This occurs after the atom has gone through its decay chain, transforming into several unstable isotopes and eventually reaching a stable isotope with a balance of protons and neutrons in its nucleus. At this point, the atom has achieved the lowest possible energy state and will not emit radiation or particles for stability.

Step-by-step solution

1. Understand Radioactive Decay

Radioactive decay refers to the process in which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation. This process occurs naturally in unstable isotopes, as they try to reach a more stable, lower-energy state.

2. Identify the Decay Chain

As a radioactive atom undergoes decay, it may turn into another radioactive isotope, which can also decay. This sequence of radioactive decay events is called the decay chain. An atom may decay through several unstable isotopes until it reaches a stable one.

3. Reaching a Stable Isotope

A radioactive atom stops undergoing decay when it reaches a stable isotope. Stable isotopes are those that do not undergo radioactive decay due to the balance of protons and neutrons in their nucleus. They have reached the lowest possible energy state and do not need to emit radiation or particles to achieve stability.

4. Decay Chain Complete

Once a radioactive atom reaches a stable isotope through its decay chain, it will no longer undergo further radioactive decay. At this point, it has reached the end of its transformation and remains in that stable isotope state.

Key concepts

Unstable Isotopes

Radioactive decay begins with atoms that have unstable isotopes. But what exactly makes an isotope unstable? An isotope is unstable when the forces within its nucleus are imbalanced. This imbalance is due to an excess or deficiency of protons and neutrons. As a result, the nucleus strives to reach stability. To do so, it loses energy by emitting radiation in the form of alpha or beta particles, or gamma rays. Understanding why isotopes are unstable helps us grasp why radioactive decay occurs:

• The nucleus contains an appropriate balance of protons and neutrons. When this balance is disturbed, the atom becomes unstable.
• An unstable nucleus has more energy than necessary, which it tries to release by undergoing radioactive decay.
• This process is a natural attempt of the unstable isotopes to transform into more stable forms.

Thus, unstable isotopes are the starting actors in the radioactive decay process, each on a path toward equilibrium and stabilization by shedding excess energy.

Decay Chain

The decay chain represents a fascinating journey through which a radioactive isotope transitions during decay. Let's explore what happens as unstable isotopes undergo radioactive decay. When a radioactive atom decays, it may not immediately reach a stable state. Instead, it transforms into another, often still unstable, isotope. This newly formed isotope might also undergo decay, paving the way for a sequence of decays called the decay chain.

• Each link in the chain is a transition from one unstable isotope to another.
• The process continues until a stable isotope is formed.
• This sequence can involve multiple decay steps, each of which involves the release of radiation.

Moreover, decay chains can vary significantly in length. Some might involve only a couple of steps, while others could take many transformations before reaching a stable end point. Understanding decay chains provides insights into how elements evolve over time and how we can sometimes predict the type of radiation emitted in each step.

Stable Isotopes

The destination of the decay chain journey is the arrival at a stable isotope. So, what makes these isotopes different from their unstable counterparts? Stable isotopes are characterized by a perfect balance within their nucleus. The number of protons and neutrons is just right, allowing them to exist without losing energy or emitting radiation. They have reached their lowest possible energy state, and thus there is no further need to change or decay.

• They do not undergo radioactive decay, reflecting a stable nucleus configuration.
• Having reached a stable state, these isotopes do not emit particles or radiation.
• Stable isotopes can remain in this form indefinitely without further transformation.

Once a radioactive substance transforms into a stable isotope, the process of decay halts. Hence, the chain of transformations completing at a stable isotope signifies the end of natural radioactive decay.