Question

How are radioactive isotopes detected? A. They have an atomic number that is greater the atomic mass. B. They emit radiation as they react with other isotopes. C. They emit radiation as they decay. D. They have an atomic mass that is greater than the atomic number. gradpoint

Answer 1

They emit radiation as they decay C

Answer 2

Answer: C. They emit radiation as they decay.

Explanation:

The radioactive isotopes are the elements that exhibit unstable and heavy nuclei. The isotopes disintegrate or decay by fission to form entities that exhibit stable nuclei. The radioactive elements are the parent atoms which disintegrate into daughter products and subatomic particles. This disintegration process liberates a lot of energy in the form of radiation like gamma rays. Hence, the type of radiation emitted by the disintegration or decay process of the radioactive isotopes can be useful to detect their elemental type and their origin.