Radioactive decay is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation, resulting in the transformation of one element into another.

Neutron decay is not a type of radioactive decay. Alpha decay involves the emission of an alpha particle, beta decay involves the emission of a beta particle, and gamma decay involves the emission of a gamma ray.

Half-life is the time it takes for half of the atoms in a radioactive substance to decay.

Carbon-14 has a half-life of approximately 5,730 years.

Food preservation is not a common application of radioisotopes in medicine. Radioisotopes are used in cancer treatment, medical imaging, and sterilization of medical devices.

Isotope separation is the process of separating different isotopes of an element.

Nuclear fission is not a common method for isotope separation. Gas centrifugation, magnetic isotope separation, and chemical exchange are common methods for isotope separation.

Radiotracer technique is the process of using radioactive isotopes to study chemical reactions and processes.

Dating archaeological artifacts is not a common application of radiotracers in chemistry. Radiotracers are commonly used in studying reaction mechanisms, determining reaction rates, and analyzing metabolic pathways.

Radiation chemistry is the process of using radiation to induce chemical reactions.

Food preservation is not a common application of radiation chemistry. Radiation chemistry is commonly used in polymerization, crosslinking, and sterilization.

Radiation processing is the process of using radiation to modify the properties of materials.

Food preservation is not a common application of radiation processing. Radiation processing is commonly used in sterilization of medical devices, crosslinking of polymers, and improving the performance of semiconductors.

Radiation biology is the study of the effects of radiation on biological systems.

Food preservation is not a common application of radiation biology. Radiation biology is commonly used in cancer treatment, sterilization of medical devices, and studying the effects of radiation on DNA.