Random Nature of Radioactive Decay

Radioactive decay is a completely random process. It cannot be predicted exactly when a specific atom will decay.
Radioactive substances contain unstable atoms that have an excess of energy or matter. They become more stable through decay.
There are three types of decay from nuclear radiation: alpha decay, beta minus decay, and gamma decay.
In alpha decay, an alpha particle is emitted from the nucleus, losing two protons and two neutrons. The atomic number decreases by two, and the mass number decreases by four. An alpha particle is a Helium-4 nucleus.
Beta minus decay involves the conversion of a neutron into a proton, with the emission of an electron and an antineutrino. The atomic number increases by one, but the mass number remains the same.
Gamma decay is not a form of matter but a form of energy. The nucleus transitions from a higher to a lower energy state, emitting a gamma photon. In this type of decay, neither the atomic number nor the mass number changes.
Each radioactive isotope, or radioisotope, has a half-life, the time it takes for half of the atoms in a sample to decay.
The half-life is constant for any given isotope, regardless of the amount of substance, temperature, pressure, and any chemical bonding.
The decay rate of a radioactive sample decreases over time; each half-life results in half the previous rate of decay.
Because of its random nature, radioactive decay cannot be accelerated, slowed or stopped by any physical or chemical procedures.
This randomness also means that we can only use probabilities to predict how a large number of atoms will decay over time, not individual atoms.
A plot of the number of undecayed atoms against time will show an exponential decline.
The concept of half-life can be used to date archaeological samples, understand energy generation in stars, and develop medical diagnostics and treatments.