What is Radioactivity?

Radioactivity is the spontaneous emission of energy from unstable atoms.

Atoms are found in all natural matter. There are stable atoms, which remain the same forever, and unstable atoms, which break down or 'decay' into new atoms. These unstable atoms are said to be 'radioactive', because they emit radioactivity from the nucleus as they decay.

Radioactive elements, such as uranium, thorium and potassium break down (decay) fairly readily to form lighter atoms. The energy that is released in the process is made up of small, fast-moving particles and high-energy waves. These particles and waves are, of course, invisible. (The level of radioactivity of an element varies according to how stable its atoms are). Other elements with naturally occurring radioactive forms, (isotopes) are carbon, bismuth, radon, and strontium.

Radioactivity is a random process that happens naturally as the isotopes in particular elements decay. The isotopes continue to break down over time. The length of time that is taken for half of the nuclei in an element to decay is called its 'half-life'. A half-life can be very short (milliseconds to hours) or very long (hundreds of thousands of years).

Radiation also arises from nuclear fission. Fission can be spontaneous but is usually initiated in a nuclear reactor. Fission is a radioactive process; it releases energy as the heavy nucleus is split into two.

Radioisotopes are commonly used in medicine, and are produced as a by-product of nuclear energy.

Greater technical detail can be found on this topic by searching through the listed briefing papers and education resources at www.uic.com.au.