ABSTRACT
The isotopes of a number of elements are naturally unstable and will lose mass and/or energy in order to form a more stable state. The spontaneous decay of such radioisotopes (or radionuclides) creates a different element (the daughter) from the starting element (the parent). The conversion of one isotope into another is called transmutation. Radioisotopes can also be prepared synthetically υia the deliberate bombardment of stable nuclei with sub-atomic particles.
