Why do chemical properties change in atoms that undergo radioactive decay?

Answer 1

Because they change to new elements. Uranium decaying to lead for instance.

Answer 2

In radioactive decay reactions sometimes you produce a different element.

beta (-) decay: a neutron (in the nucleus) "decays" into a proton and an electron. The electron is "ejected" from the nucleus (this is the beta particle) and the proton stays in the nucleus. The nucleus now has one more proton so the element has changed and would have different chemical properties from the "parent" element.
(This reaction is also called neutron decay)

beta (+) decay: a proton (in the nucleus) "decays" into a neutron and an antielectron (positron or beta +). The antielectron is "ejected" from the nucleus. The nucleus has lost a proton and is now a different element so the chemical properties will be different from the "parent" element. (This reaction is also called proton decay)

alpha decay: a helium-4 nucleus is "ejected" from the nucleus. The original nucleus has now lost 2 protons and 2 neutrons and is a different element with different properties than the "parent" element.

gamma decay produces gamma radiation (a form of light). There is no change in the number of protons in the nucleus so the element and its chemical properties do not change.

These are the major modes of decay for radioactive isotopes.

Answer 3

nevertheless, origianl molecular compound has tremendoulsy gave of that is extreme potential after the atom has been splitted or by way of chemical reaction, that is an on going reaction that still is radioactive yet at plenty decrease potential point given off. What this implies is that as quickly as, the unique reaction has occured the isotopes of the unique molecules are nevertheless remained to react with despite it has to react with. The decay is declared to have 0.5 existence and it may soak as much as one hundred years for particular molecules to end fuflfilled that is required reaction. sturdy sufficient, definite?

Answer 4

Radioactivity is NOT related to chemical properties. The latter refers to what happens at the outermost (valence) electrons.
Radioactivity refers to what happens at the small unstable nuclei, when they contain too many neutrons or when they too big like uranium - 238.
"Slow" thermal neutrons can be 'pumped' into any nucleus to make it radioactive. These radio-active particles are then known as radio-isotopes which are used in the medical field as tracer elements and to cure cancer.

Answer 5

You just reminded me that i forgot all that i learned in high school... i cant remember... so i guess the lesson here is that high school is not effective