Radioisotopes are isotopes of an element that have unstable nuclei and emit radiation as they decay to a stable form. These emissions can be in the form of alpha, beta, or gamma rays.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Radioisotopes have applications in medical imaging and cancer treatment.
Carbon-14 is a well-known radioisotope used in radiocarbon dating.
The stability of a radioisotope's nucleus determines its half-life.
Radioisotopes can be naturally occurring or artificially produced.
Exposure to radioisotopes must be carefully controlled due to potential health risks.
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Related terms
Isotope: Atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons but the same number of protons.