Question

What type of isotope undergoes radioactive decay?

o one that has a nucleus with the same number of protons and neutrons
O one that has an unstable nucleus
one that has the same number of protons and electrons
O one that has a stable nucleus

Answer 1

one that has an unstable nucleus

Step-by-step explanation:

An isotope is defined as a chemical variant present in an atom with different number of neutron but same number of protons.

Radioactive decay is the sudden breakdown of an atomic nucleus allowing matter and radiation to be emitted from the nucleus. A radioisotope with unstable nuclei undergoes radioactive decay because they do not have adequate binding energy to keep the nucleus together. there are four types of Alpha, Beta, Gamma Decay and Positron Emission.

Hence, the correct option is "one that has an unstable nucleus"