a scientist is trying to determine whether a certain substance is radioactive. which question would be most…

a scientist is trying to determine whether a certain substance is radioactive. which question would be most helpful to ask?\ndoes the substance have a positive electric charge or a negative electric charge?\ncan the substance be used to generate electricity in a power plant?\ndo the atoms that make up the substance have nuclei that split apart over time?\ndo the nuclei of the substance’s atoms contain more neutrons than protons?

a scientist is trying to determine whether a certain substance is radioactive. which question would be most helpful to ask?\ndoes the substance have a positive electric charge or a negative electric charge?\ncan the substance be used to generate electricity in a power plant?\ndo the atoms that make up the substance have nuclei that split apart over time?\ndo the nuclei of the substance’s atoms contain more neutrons than protons?

Answer

Brief Explanations:

Radioactivity is related to the instability of atomic nuclei, which can split over time. A key characteristic of radioactive substances is that their atoms' nuclei undergo decay. The first option is about electric charge, not radioactivity. The second option is about power - generation potential, not a direct indicator of radioactivity. The fourth option about the ratio of neutrons to protons is not the most direct way to determine radioactivity compared to the splitting of nuclei.

Answer:

Do the atoms that make up the substance have nuclei that split apart over time?