The amount of energy released when an unstable atom breaks apart depends on the specific atom and the nature of its instability. Unstable atoms typically undergo a process called radioactive decay, in which they emit radiation or undergo nuclear reactions to achieve a more stable configuration.
There are several types of radioactive decay, including alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma decay, each associated with different energy releases. In alpha decay, an atom emits an alpha particle, which consists of two protons and two neutrons. The energy released in alpha decay varies depending on the specific atom involved.
The energy released in beta decay, which involves the emission of beta particles (either electrons or positrons), also varies depending on the atom and the decay process. Similarly, the energy released in gamma decay, which involves the emission of gamma rays (high-energy photons), depends on the particular atom and the decay process.
To quantify the energy release in these decay processes, scientists use units such as electron volts (eV) or kiloelectron volts (keV). The energy release can range from a few kiloelectron volts to several million electron volts, depending on the atom and the specific decay process involved.
It's important to note that unstable atoms can have different levels of instability, and the energy released during decay is determined by the specific characteristics of the atom and its decay mode.