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There is a simple connection between the random nature of nuclear decay and the half-life of a radionuclide. Any given atom of a radioactive element can undergo decay "any time it wants to" in the real world. This is the random nature of radioactive decay. We absolutely cannot tell whenthat one atom of whatever it is will decide to decay. The nuclear decay will happen when "it wants to" and we can only speak to the decay event of a given radionuclide by statistical means.
We look at a vast number of the same kind of atoms and count the decay events. We do this over some determined interval of time, which can be shorter or longer, depending on how unstable the given radioisotope is. We'll then use our knowledge of how much we had to begin with and how many decay events we observed over out observation period to calculate how long it takes "about half" the material to decay. That's what a half-life is. It's a statistically derived span of time during which half the amount of a (sufficiently sized) sample of a specific radionuclide will decay and half will be left to undergo decay later on.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoHalf life is the period of time for half of something to be eliminated or transformed by some process. The term is used in many fields:
- nuclear physics: period of time for half of a radioisotope to decay.
- medicine: period of time for half of a drug to be eliminated by metabolism and/or excretion.
- hazmat: period of time for half of a hazardous material to decompose to nonhazardous products under specified conditions (e.g. added catalysts, temperature, pressure).
- etc.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoIt doesn't 'impact' half-life. Half-life is used to describe how quickly the material is undergoing decay.
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What is the correct order of nuclear decay mode for the changes from U-238 to U-234?
U-238 --> alpha + gamma + Th-234, halflife 4.51E9 yearsTh-234 --> beta- + gamma + Pa-234, halflife 24.10 daysPa-234 --> beta- + gamma + U-234, halflife 6.66 hours
As the temperature of a radioactive sample increases the rate of the nuclear decay?
It stays the same. Temperature has no effect on the rate of nuclear decay.
What type of nuclear decay produces energy instead of a particle?
gamma decay
What is the difference between nuclear decay and nuclear transformation reactions?
nuclear decay rates take more time and chemical reaction rates could happen fast.
When is it possible for decay not to occur?
The physical and chemical decay is not possible in vacuum but nuclear decay can neither be stopped.
What are the nuclear changes during decay of copper 67?
Copper-67 undergoes beta decay with a halflife of 59 hours, becoming stable Zinc-67.
What is the correct order of nuclear decay mode for the changes from U-238 to U-234?
U-238 --> alpha + gamma + Th-234, halflife 4.51E9 yearsTh-234 --> beta- + gamma + Pa-234, halflife 24.10 daysPa-234 --> beta- + gamma + U-234, halflife 6.66 hours
Is it true that the half-life of a radioactive isotope decreases as the isotopes decay?
no, halflife is a constant for each isotope's decay process.
What are the forms of nuclear decay?
what are the forms of nuclear decay
What is mass converted to in nuclear processes?
nuclear decay, such as alpha decay or beta decay.
What nuclear decay have similar qualities to helium nucleus?
Alpha nuclear decay
Which equation represents a spontaneous nuclear decay?
All nuclear decay is spontaneous.
Is radioactive decay and nuclear decay the same?
yep, sure are
As the temperature of a radioactive sample increases the rate of the nuclear decay?
It stays the same. Temperature has no effect on the rate of nuclear decay.
Do element identities reamin the same or change during nuclear decay?
That depends on the nuclear decay type. For gamma decay, the identity does NOT change, but for alpha and beta, it does.
What is the lifetime for neptunium -238?
The halflife is 2.1 days. Multiply that by about 5 to get the time to decay to near zero.10.5 days or so.
What type of nuclear decay produces energy instead of a particle?
gamma decay
