Question

What is the source of the radioactivity?

Answer 1

Unstable nuclei.

Answer 2

Well, that's a broad question.

The type of radioactivity people usually think of is called "nuclear fission."

Nuclear fission is when an unstable nuclei breaks apart, releasing lots of energy and particles, and forming smaller nuclei. These, too, can be unstable, and will decay in a similar fashion. This process continues until the products of the decay are stable.

Answer 3

Okay, the next question says, what type of radiation does it produce, is that talking about radioactivity, or unstable nuclei or nuclear fission?
@Vandreigan
@PsiSquared

Answer 4

@Vandreigan @PsiSquared wait, I read the thing wrong, I'm supposed to choose one natural source of radioactivity. Any ideas? Sorry I am horrible at this stuff...

Answer 5

A natural source of radiation should be easy to choose. I'm sure you've heard of lots of them. Think of what nuclear power plants use to generate power. (Be careful of isotopes, if you have to choose one. Not all isotopes are naturally occurring).

Answer 6

You could look at Radon, a source of radioactivity in homes with basements (mostly). Radon typically decays through the emission of an alpha particle.

Answer 7

Okay well then, what is the source of Radon?

Answer 8

@PsiSquared

Answer 9

Radon is a gas and is a decay product of Uranium or Thorium.