Radioactive elements

Radioactive elements are materials whose atoms are unstable and naturally release energy as they decay into more stable forms. This process, called radioactive decay, can emit particles and energy, such as radiation. Some well-known radioactive elements include uranium, radon, and plutonium. These elements are used in energy production, medicine, and scientific research, but must be handled with care due to the potential health risks of radiation exposure. The decay rate varies by element, characterized by a half-life, which is the time it takes for half of the radioactive atoms to decay.