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The spontaneous breakdown of certain kinds of
atomic nuclei into one or more nuclei of different elements, involving the
release of energy and subatomic particles.
[Crutzen, Paul J. and Graedel,
T.E. Atmospheric Change: An Earth System Perspective. p. 436.]
- Large unstable atoms can become more stable by emitting radiation. This
process is called radioactive decay. This radiation can be emitted in the form
of a positively charged alpha particle, a negatively charged beta particle, or
gamma rays or x-rays.
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