* Radioactive: Carbon-14 is a radioactive isotope, meaning its nucleus is unstable and prone to decay.
* Extra Neutrons: It has 6 protons (like all carbon atoms) but 8 neutrons, making it heavier than the most common form of carbon, Carbon-12 (⁶C). This imbalance makes the nucleus unstable.
* Beta Decay: Carbon-14 decays through beta decay. This means one of its neutrons transforms into a proton, emitting an electron (beta particle) and an antineutrino.
* Half-Life: Carbon-14 has a half-life of about 5,730 years. This means that after 5,730 years, half of a sample of Carbon-14 will have decayed into Nitrogen-14.
Other unstable atoms:
* Uranium-235 (²³⁵U): Used in nuclear power plants and atomic bombs.
* Radium-226 (²²⁶Ra): Emits alpha particles and is used in medical treatments.
* Iodine-131 (¹³¹I): Used in thyroid treatments and diagnosis.
These are just a few examples of unstable atoms. There are many others, each with unique properties and decay characteristics.
