High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! A radionuclide is an atom with an unstable nucleus, which is a nucleus characterized by excess energy available to be imparted either to a newly created radiation particle within the nucleus or to an atomic electron. The radionuclide, in this process, undergoes radioactive decay, and emits gamma ray(s) and/or subatomic particles. These particles constitute ionizing radiation. Radionuclides occur naturally, and can also be artificially produced.