Discover the fascinating process of radioactive decay, where unstable atoms transform, releasing energy in the form of alpha, beta, and gamma emissions.

The element radium can be found in extremely tiny amounts in the Earth’s crust and oceans, and in its pure form it is a soft silvery metal. To an untrained eye, a small piece of radium may look like a ...

Some atoms are stable, while others seem to fall apart. Lead-208 will probably last forever, while the synthetic isotope technetium-99 exists for just hours. The difference lies in the structure of ...

Nuclear waste. We've all heard about it, but what is it? Is it a problem without a solution? How big is the problem? And what exactly is this waste and why is it so important? New Atlas takes a look ...

When building an atom, pay close attention to the particles' electrical charges. Protons have a charge of +1. Electrons have a charge of -1. Neutrons are neutral, as its name implies. A stable atom ...

Working at a nuclear research centre as I do, I found Justin Mullins’s article on seasonal variations in radioactive decay most intriguing (27 June, p 42). The most dramatic change in radioactive ...

Is nuclear power the world's best hope for slowing climate change—or a high-stakes gamble that risks radioactive disaster? What if it's both? As the world seeks cleaner energy sources, nuclear energy ...

(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like ...

Why do some elements decay in minutes, while others last billions of years? Certain "magic numbers" of nuclear particles may make all the difference. When you purchase through links on our site, we ...

Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com. “What is radium and why is it dangerous?” – ...