For naturally radioactive elements, 4) all of these
Explanation:
Radioactive decay is a spontaneous and random process in which certain unstable nuclei decay, emitting other particles and turning into another element.
There are three types of radioactive decay:
- Alpha decay: in an alpha decay, an unstable nucleus decays emitting an alpha particle, which consists of two protons and two neutrons (so, it is equal to a nucleus of helium).
- Beta decay: in a beta decay, an unstable nucleus decays emitting a beta particle, which is a fast-moving electron (a fast-moving positron if it is a beta-plus decay).
- Gamma decay: in a gamma decay, a nucleus left in an excited state (usually after an alpha or beta decay) emits a gamma ray photon, decaying into a lower energy (and more stable) state.
From the definitions above, we notice that all the three statements are correct:
1) have unstable nuclei
2) give off alpha, beta, or gamma rays
3) decay into another element (only in the case of the alpha and beta decay)
So, the correct answer is
4) all of these
Learn more about radioactive decay:
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