0
Physically, the time constant represents the time it takes the system's step response to reach 1-1/e (approx 63.2% of its final value). In radioactive decay the time constant is called the decay constant (λ), and it represents both the mean lifetime of a decaying system (such as an atom) before it decays, or the time it takes for all but 36.8% of the atoms to decay. For this reason, the time constant is reciprocal of mean life.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoDecay constant is the ratio of the amount of radioactive substance which disintegrates in a unit time to the amount of substance present .
It is also defined as the reciprocal of time during which the number of radioactive atoms of a radioactive substance falls to 37% of its original value.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoIt is a rate constant of 1st order reaction,it's unit is second -1 its value doesn't depend on temperature
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoHow fast something decomposes
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Which phrase describes one characteristic of radioactive elements?
decay at a constant rate
What is the physical significance of vander walls constants a and b?
a and b are called vander Wall's and they are used for determination of pressure of real gas they are also used for determination of critical constant of gases
The least energetic of the forms of radioactive decay is ______?
alpha decay
What is ratio decay?
No such thing as ratio decay. Sorry
Can paper decay?
Yes, but the rate of decay depends on the conditions.
Why would carbon dating work if carbon atoms did not decay at a constant rate?
Statistically carbon-14 atoms decay at a constant rate.
Are the decay rates of carbon-14 constant and predictable?
Nuclear decay in general is not predictable
How can the formula for decay constant be derived?
AA
Would carbon dating work if carbon-14 atoms did not decay at a constant rate and why?
Statistically carbon-14 atoms decay at a constant rate.
Is an exponential decay function represent a quantity that has a constant halving time?
A quantity is said to be subject to exponential decay if it decreases at a rate proportional to its value. The time required for the decaying quantity to fall to one half of its initial value.Radioactive decay is a good example where the half life is constant over the entire decay time.In non-exponential decay, half life is not constant.
Are nuclear decay rates constant?
Yes, for any specific isotope they are fixed constant.
What is the value of the decay constant for Ir-192?
.009388422
What is the significance when the constant is greater than the universal gravitational equation?
There is no significance at all.
The reciprocal of decay constant of radioelement gives?
The half-life.
Can somethings decay constant change. ive been asked this question. the isotope strontium-90 has half life of 28 years Calculate its decay constant in units of year-1 and second-1. please help?
Decay constant and half life are mathematically related. One cannot change without the other changing, so - no - an isotope's decay constant cannot change.Do not confuse this with the fact that isotopes form other isotopes as they decay, and those other isotopes might have different half lives, so the gross observation of total activity may seem to indicate a change in rate - the reality is still no - the decay constant of a particular isotope does not change.
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.
Can radioactive decay be kept constant by electric field?
Radioactive decay can't be controlled by an electric field - or by almost anything, for that matter.
