Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Standardized Awareness Practice Test

How do unstable atoms behave in terms of energy release?

1. They absorb energy from their surroundings

2. They release energy in the form of rays and particles

3. They emit electrical charges

4. They rapidly decay into stable forms

The correct answer is: They release energy in the form of rays and particles

Unstable atoms behave in a manner that involves the release of energy, typically due to their desire to reach a more stable state. As these atoms undergo decay, they emit energy in the form of radiation, which can include alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays. This process is a characteristic feature of radioactive decay and is essential to understanding various phenomena in nuclear physics and chemistry. The release of energy happens because unstable isotopes have an excess of energy or mass that they need to shed to become stable. By emitting rays and particles, these atoms transition toward a lower energy state. This not only stabilizes the atom itself but can also have implications in fields such as medicine, where radioactive isotopes are used in treatments or diagnostic imaging. Choices involving absorption of energy, electrical charges, or rapid decay into stable forms do not correctly characterize the fundamental behavior of unstable atoms. While some unstable atoms can undergo rapid decay, this emphasis on energy release through the emission of radiation is a defining characteristic of their behavior. Hence, the accurate depiction of how unstable atoms release energy is confirmed through the emission of rays and particles.