What is Radioactivity and Is It Always Harmful: Explained in Really Simple Words

Radioactivity is the property through which a heavier, unstable nucleus assumes a more stable state by emitting radiation. The process through which a nucleus turns into a stable one is called radioactive decay. But is radioactivity or radioactive radiation always harmful? Let’s discuss this in more detail.
Inside an atom’s nucleus, there are positively charged protons and neutral neutrons. These nucleons are held together by a “glue” called the strong nuclear force. This strong force cancels out the repulsive electrostatic force of like charged protons and keeps the nucleus stable. The nuclear force has a short range of action and is dependent on the ratio of neutrons and protons present in a nucleus. However, we see that the balance between the forces starts to waver in a nucleus where the number of neutrons exceeds the number of protons. A nucleus that exceeds the threshold number of neutrons and protons that the strong nuclear force can hold together comfortably will be more unstable.
More specifically, these scenarios give rise to unstable isotopes of elements. Just as your body, through a series of expansions and contractions, expels a substance with a sneeze, similarly, the unstable isotopes of elements fling out different particles or forms of energy to restore balance between the forces in their nucleus. During this process of attaining stability, they change into a new nucleus. It is exactly this property, namely turning into something new to attain stability, that we call radioactivity.

#science #animation #radioactivity

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[ogrenmekeyfi]

In the video, it's implied that ionizing and nuclear radiation are the same thing; but what about x-rays and UV-C rays, they are ionizing for sure, but are they nuclear?

[utkarshkumar]

Omg this video was presented almost perfectly and finally taught me what is rdioactivity we always hear about. Thank you!

[elois]

This is better taught than my teacher currently at school! Thank you so much!!

[hollypotozny]

This was particularly well done. Thank you!

[hannastaszak]

Maria SKŁODOWSKA - CURIE była geniuszem, w 8 lat 2 Nagrody Nobla z fizyki i chemii. Ta Polka zrewolucjonizowała radioterapię, jej wynalazki służą ludności. ❤

[thomasvarghese]

What a well presented discussion ; a complex subject made into a story with everyday examples and illustrations.

[hannastaszak]

Pani Maria nazywała się SKŁODOWSKA - CURIE, była Polką. Pierwiastek POLON nazwała na cześć swojej ojczyzny Polski. Wielki szacunek 🇵🇱

[benjaminkirbytennyson]

Curie discovered radioactivity, but at what cost!

[gargipopere]

Nice video 👍. On a side note, the Marie Curie cartoon is really nice

[taishachattopadhyay]

Quite insightful!😎😎
It has the right amount of resource with great quirk and innovation!

[HaSsAaN_]

This video covered half of my chapter (almost)

[muhammadsayaftarkani]

Absolutely, this is the outstanding method of teaching and learning...

[yashjoshan]

this video deserves a million likes.. incredible way of teaching and editing skills are amazing
my teacher can never explain so easily he just loves to complicate easy things... aaagggghh

[minuteoneday]

Great video. Easy to understand, accurate and entertaining. Keep it up!

[rizzly_beargrr]

Thanks, I have been hearing this word my entire life while never knowing the true meaning and detailes about it

[utsavbhawsar]

Great insights! Wonderful presentation.

[michaelwclark]

The subtle fear of Nuclear power is still evident in the fact that it misrepresented the two examples of reactor disasters. The japan accident had no fatalities from radiation. And funny how they made the Chernobyl meltdown look bigger than the "four-square-mile radiation zone." Moreover, the video ended on the fear note-- not subtle.

[chidinmaanokwuru]

This is very great and exquisite. Makes it easy to understand and very unambiguous.

[muhammadaddinahmadkushairi]

The Geiger counter sound in the end is terrifying me

[evandoesgaming]

Great video!! Thanks for the simple explanation :)