Why radioactive has 'radio' in it? What does it have to do with radio waves?
I understand the premise of electromagnetic energy/ the spectrum of high and low wavelengths but am confused as to where the “radio” comes from in the word radioactive. If radiowaves are the lowest on the scale and are a form of non-ionizing radiation, then why are radioactive things involving radiowaves.
– Asked by Matthew via the ask a science question page.
In the word ‘radioactive’, the word ‘radio’ stands for ‘radiation’. If a substance is radioactive, it means that it is actively radiating alpha (helium nuclei) and beta particles (electron) and high-frequency electromagnetic waves of the spectrum (gamma rays) away. Radioactivity has nothing to do with radio waves.