7.2.11

Half Life & Background Radiation

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Half-Life

The half-life is the average time taken for the number of radioactive nuclei to halve. Activity of a radioactive substance is measured in Becquerels (Bq).

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Half-lives are predictable

  • The radioactive decay of an individual atom is random and unpredictable.
  • However, large groups of nuclei do normally behave in predictable ways.
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Half lives are constant

  • The half-life is the average time taken for the number of radioactive nuclei to halve.
  • The half-life for any one isotope of an element is constant.
  • The half-life of unstable isotopes can be seconds or millions of years.

Jump to other topics

1Forces & Motion

1.1Basics of Motion

1.2Forces

1.3Effects of Forces

1.4Stopping Distance

1.5Forces & Elasticity

2Electricity

3Waves

4Energy Resources & Energy Transfers

5Solids, Liquids & Gases

6Magnetism & Electromagnetism

7Radioactivity & Particles

8Astrophysics

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