What is a radioisotope?

A radioisotope is defined primarily as an isotope of an element that undergoes radioactive decay, which can involve the release of energy and particles in the process. While the term often includes both naturally occurring and artificially created varieties, the key aspect is the property of radioactivity itself.

The option that describes a radioisotope as an artificially created radioactive isotope provides a correct understanding of one category of radioisotopes. Many radioisotopes, such as those used in medical treatments and diagnoses, are indeed produced through artificial means in nuclear reactors or particle accelerators, highlighting their specific application in modern science and medicine.

In contrast, there are also naturally occurring radioisotopes, such as Uranium-238 and Radon-222, which exist in nature and exhibit radioactivity without any human intervention. Therefore, the definition embraces a broader range that includes both types, but focusing solely on artificially created isotopes accurately recognizes the importance of human-made contributions to the field.

The other options incorrectly describe radioisotopes either by misunderstanding their fundamental nature (confusing them with stable isotopes, which do not undergo radioactive decay) or by implying non-radioactive characteristics. Thus, this understanding aligns well with the broader scientific definition of radioisot