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While the half-life can be affected by changes in the motion of atoms due to changes in temperature, the effect is negligible. Half-life is far more drastically affected by forces between particles within the nucleus rather than any atomic motion or atomic interactions. There may be a small decrease in decay rate as temperature decreases but it is negligible thus far. It has been proven that increases in decay rate with temperature are essentially zero.

According to the current standard model of particle interactions the effects of temperature change on decay rate can be ignored at all temperatures.

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Q: Does the half life change as a radioactive atom approaches absolute zero?
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Related questions

If a substance is radioactive is its compound radioactive?

Yes. A radioactive atom is a radioactive atom. If that atom exists as a single atom and is uncombined and it is radioactive, it's radioactive. If that same atom is chemically combined with another or other atoms, it's still radioactive. It's just that simple.


How are nuclear fission and radioactive alike?

Both processes change the nature of the atom.


Why is equipment needed to change the nucleus of an atom?

You don't really need equipment to change the nucleus of an atom. If the atom is radioactive, then it is inherently unstable, and it will change of its own accord, and on its own time frame, relative to half-life.


What is an unstable atom?

An unstable atom is a radioactive atom.


What is a radioactive atoms?

A radioactive atom is an atom that has an unstable nuclear force, and therefore either absorbs or emits a radioactive particle.


What is the change that is undergone by an atom of an element made radioactive by bombardment with high energy protons?

Artificial Transmutation


If a radioactive material is cooled down will its radioactivity decrease?

Since radioactive decay occurs in the nucleus of an atom, and temperature mostly has to do with atoms bouncing or vibrating against each other, I'd say that there would be no effect. Maybe if you could get it down close to absolute zero, you might see a change in the behavior inside the nucleus.


What are the characteristics of a atom?

A radioactive atom is an atom of an element with an unstable nucleus.


What is the final result of radioactive decay?

radioactive isotope


True or false unstable atom that decomposes and emits energy is called retroactive?

No, it's called "radioactive." "Retroactive" is something that's active in regards to the past.


What is the name of change that is undergone by an atom of an element made radioactive by bombardment with high-energy protons.?

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What is the difference between an atom of carbon and atom of uranium?

The usual Carbon-12 is not radioactive. Uranium is radioactive. Radioactive means that the atom splits and spits out some energy or matter (with matter, the atom changes to another atom). Luckily, all the atoms don't split at once.