Tuuma energia
atom (the "daughter"). This is a random
process on the atomic level, in that it is
impossible to predict when a given atom
will decay, but given a large number of
similar atoms the decay rate, on average, is
predictable.
The SI unit of radioactive decay is the becquerel (Bq). One Bq is defined as one transformation (or
decay) per second. Since any reasonably-sized sample of radioactive material contains many atoms,
a Bq is a tiny measure of activity; amounts on the order of TBq (terabecquerel) or GBq
(gigabecquerel) are commonly used. Another unit of radioactivity is the curie, Ci, which was
originally defined as the activity of one gram of pure radium, isotope Ra-226. At present it is equal,
by definition, to the activity of any radionuclide decaying with a disintegration rate of 3.7 × 1010
Bq. The use of Ci is presently discouraged by the SI.
History of nuclear power