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BOOKLET to Provide Basic Information Regarding Health Effects of Radiation (3rd edition)

Various Nuclei

Various Nuclei_Figure

While most hydrogen atoms are H-1 whose nucleus has only one proton, there are also H-2 (deuterium) that has one proton and one neutron and H-3 (tritium) that has one proton and two neutrons. Only H-3 (tritium) emits radiation among these isotopes.

Like hydrogen, there are elements (collectively referring to the same type of atoms) having only one type of radioactive nucleus, but there are also many elements having multiple types of radioactive nuclei. Some elements with a large atomic number such as uranium and plutonium do not have stable nuclei that do not emit radiation.

While most naturally occurring radionuclides have existed since the birth of the earth, there are some that are still being created by the interaction between cosmic rays and the atmosphere, such as Carbon-14.

  • Included in this reference material on March 31, 2013
  • Updated on March 31, 2015
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