Radiation Therapy Physics

Concepts Review Blog

Sara Lorraine Gill, MSRS, CMD

Medical Dosimetrist and Educator

27. Why are some nuclei stable while others decay?

27. Why are some nuclei stable while others decay?

Sara Lorraine Gill
Published on: 15/10/2026

Learn what makes atomic nuclei stable or unstable. Explore the balance between protons, neutrons, the strong nuclear force, and electrical repulsion, plus the different types of radioactive decay, including alpha, beta, and gamma decay.

nuclear stability and radioactive decaywhy nuclei decaywhat makes a nucleus stablestable and unstable nucleiradioactive isotopes explainedprotons and neutrons in the nucleusstrong nuclear forceproton repulsiontypes of radioactive decayalpha decaybeta minus decaybeta plus decaygamma decayelectron captureinternal conversionradiation physicsnuclear physics for beginnersmedical physicsnuclear medicine imagingradioactive decay in medicine

Come say hello on social!