The process of decay of radioactive materials is called radioactive decay. In this process, unstable atomic nuclei lose energy by emitting radiation, transforming into more stable isotopes over time. Radioactive decay follows predictable patterns, characterized by half-lives, which indicate the time required for half of a radioactive sample to decay. Understanding radioactive decay is important in fields like nuclear physics, radiology, and geology, especially in applications related to age dating and radiation safety.