Radioactivity Unit Converter

Radioactivity is the spontaneous emission of particles or energy from unstable atomic nuclei, which results in the conversion of one element into another. This process, also known as radioactive decay, occurs naturally in some elements, and can also be induced by human activity through nuclear reactions.

The three most common types of radiation emitted during radioactive decay are alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays. These particles differ in their properties and energy levels, and can have varying effects on matter and living organisms.

Radioactivity has important applications in medicine, industry, and research. In medicine, radioactive isotopes can be used to diagnose and treat diseases such as cancer. In industry, radioactivity can be used for materials testing, sterilization, and power generation in nuclear reactors. In research, radioactive isotopes are used to study fundamental aspects of physics, chemistry, and biology.

The SI unit for measuring the amount of radioactivity is the becquerel (Bq), which represents one radioactive decay per second. Another commonly used unit is the curie (Ci), which represents 3.7 x 10^10 radioactive decays per second. Radiation exposure is typically measured in sieverts (Sv) or millisieverts (mSv), which take into account the type of radiation and its biological effects on humans.