Final-Answer:
The stability of a nucleus is determined by the number of protons and neutrons it contains. The number of protons determines the chemical element, and the number of neutrons determines the isotope of that element. The most stable nuclei have a neutron-to-proton ratio of about 1.25. Nuclei with too many or too few neutrons are unstable and will decay into more stable nuclei.
There are two main types of nuclear decay: alpha decay and beta decay. In alpha decay, a nucleus emits an alpha particle, which is a helium nucleus consisting of two protons and two neutrons. In beta decay, a nucleus emits an electron or a positron, or a neutrino or an antineutrino.
Nuclear decay is a natural process that occurs in all radioactive elements. The rate of decay is determined by the half-life of the element, which is the time it takes for half of a given sample of the element to decay. The half-lives of radioactive elements vary widely, from fractions of a second to billions of years.
(Extra information):Nuclear decay can be used to generate electricity in nuclear power plants, and and cancer treatment too.
