Radioactive Isotope

A radioactive isotope is a version of an element that has an unstable atomic nucleus. This instability causes the isotope to spontaneously release energy and particles over time, a process known as radioactive decay. This decay transforms the isotope into a more stable form, often of a different element or isotope. Radioactive isotopes are naturally occurring or man-made and are used in various fields like medicine, energy, and scientific research. The rate of decay is characteristic of each isotope and helps determine its half-life—the time it takes for half of the material to decay.