Texas Industrial Radiography Gamma Practice Test

What is the term for the process by which a radioactive isotope becomes stable?

1. Ionization

2. Pair Production

3. Decay

4. Activation

The correct answer is: Decay

The process by which a radioactive isotope becomes stable is referred to as decay. During decay, the unstable nucleus of the radioactive isotope transforms into a more stable form, releasing energy and often emitting radiation in the process. This transformation can involve the emission of alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma radiation, depending on the type of decay occurring. As isotopes undergo decay, they gradually transition into stable isotopes, which do not emit radiation, marking the end of their radioactive activity. This fundamental process is crucial in a variety of fields, including nuclear medicine, radiochemistry, and industrial applications, where understanding the stability and behavior of isotopes is essential for safety and effectiveness. The other terms listed have different meanings: ionization refers to the process where an atom or molecule acquires a negative or positive charge, pair production describes the phenomenon where energy is converted into a particle-antiparticle pair, and activation pertains to the process of making a material radioactive through neutron bombardment.