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Correct Answer: radioisotopes
the correct answer is "radioisotopes." radioisotopes are variants of a particular chemical element that have an unstable combination of neutrons and protons in their nuclei, causing them to emit radiation to achieve a more stable atomic configuration. this emission of radiation is referred to as radioactive decay. through this process, radioisotopes lose energy by emitting various types of radiation, which may include alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays. this decay can transform the radioisotope into a different element or a different isotope of the same element.
for instance, carbon-14 (a radioisotope of carbon commonly used in radiocarbon dating) decays into nitrogen-14 over time. this decay process involves the emission of a beta particle (electron) from the nucleus. when carbon-14 decays, it loses a neutron (which converts into a proton and an electron, with the electron being emitted), thereby increasing the number of protons in the atom's nucleus from six to seven, effectively changing the atom from carbon to nitrogen.
radioactive decay is a spontaneous process and can vary widely in the time it takes for half of any given quantity of a radioisotope to decay, known as its half-life. the half-life can range from fractions of a second to billions of years, depending on the radioisotope. this characteristic makes some radioisotopes useful for dating archaeological samples, understanding geological formations, and in medical applications such as cancer treatment and diagnostic imaging.
other options presented, such as "anti-isotopes," "relative isotopes," and "configurative isotopes," do not accurately describe isotopes that emit radiation as part of reaching a more stable state. these terms either do not exist in the context of radioactive materials or do not pertain to the properties of isotopes undergoing radioactive decay. therefore, "radioisotopes" is the correct term to describe isotopes that emit subatomic particles to achieve greater nuclear stability.
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