Characterization of atoms by their nuclear properties, as the number of protons and the number of neutrons. The different nuclides of an element are its isotopes (equal proton number, but different neutron numbers). Isomers of this particular nuclide are equal in the proton and mass numbers, but differ in their energy content. Unstable nuclides which are radioactive are called radionuclides.

See also Isotope, Isomer and Decay.

[Beta Plus Decay] If an atom is unstable because there are too many protons in the nucleus, a proton is converted into a neutron and a positron is emitted. The atomic mass of the atom stays unchanged, but the number of protons increases by one, the number of neutrons decreases by one, which transforms the atom to a different element.

See also Beta Decay.

A proton is a basic particle located in the nucleus of an atom. The number of protons in the nucleus governs the chemical properties of that element. The positive electrical charge is equal to the negative charge of an electron and the mass is similar to that of a neutron (see also baryon). The proton belongs to the group of hadrons and is composed out of three quarks.
A hydrogen (H1) nucleus is build of one proton.
Proton beam therapy is the preferred treatment for cancers near the eye and the spinal cord.

Radioactive decay is the change of instable atoms to a more stable state. This change to a different nuclide by the spontaneous emission of radiation such as alpha or beta particles, gamma rays, or by electron capture follows an element-specific decay chain. Each step in the decay chain has a definite half-life.
Sometimes also the reduction of excitation energy of the nucleus by e.g. internal conversion is mentioned as radioactive decay.

See also Decay Chain, Radioisotope.

Ernest Rutherford and Niels Bohr developed in the early 20th century a solar system like model of the atoms, in which electrons orbit around the nucleus (protons and neutrons) held by electromagnetic forces (protons - electrons).
The nucleus is held together by a very strong but short distance nuclear force, attracting all nucleons. While the protons positive charges try pushing it apart, is it the balance between protons and neutrons which decide over an elements stability.
In their model the energy of orbiting electrons is quantized into fixed values. Electrons in outer orbits are more loosely bound than the ones at inner orbits and affect an atom's chemical properties.
Erwin Schrodinger and Werner Heisenberg developed probability functions which assigns the electrons to cloud like spaces instead of fixed orbits.