Metastable isotopes
= Metastable isotopes
{wiki=Category:Metastable_isotopes}
Metastable isotopes, also known as isomers, are nuclei that exist in an excited state for a relatively long period of time compared to typical nuclear decay processes. While most isotopes will decay quickly to a more stable state, metastable isotopes have higher energy levels that do not decay immediately and can exist for extended periods, ranging from microseconds to years.