Term: radioactive decay
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.R05083

Definition:
nuclear decay in which particles or electromagnetic radiation are emitted or the nucleus undergoes spontaneous fission or electron capture.

Related Terms:
1) nuclear decay (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.N04227).
2) radiation (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.R05048).
3) nucleus (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.N04256).
4) spontaneous fission (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.S05887).
5) electron capture (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.E01980).

Source: PAC, 1994, 66, 2513. 'Nomenclature for radioanalytical chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)' on page 2518 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199466122513)

Citation: 'radioactive decay' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.R05083

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