What Are Unstable Isotopes

An unstable isotope is one that does undergo spontaneous nuclear decay. Unstable isotopes are also referred to as radioactive isotopes, or radiosotopes, or radioactive nucleides, or radionucleides.

What makes an isotope unstable?

Usually, what makes an isotope unstable is the large nucleus. If a nucleus becomes larger enough from the number of neutrons, since the neutron count is what makes isotopes, it will be unstable and will try to ‘shed’ its neutrons and/or protons in order to achieve stability.

What is stable and unstable isotope?

Stable isotopes are naturally occurring forms of elements that are non-radioactive. Unstable isotopes are atoms having unstable nuclei. Therefore, these elements undergo radioactivity. This is the main difference between stable and unstable isotopes.