answersLogoWhite

0

The half-life of a radioactive isotope is the length of time for one half of a given sample to decay into another isotope (usually of a different element). It is a logarithmic process. After 1 half-life, there is half of the sample remaining; after 2 half-life's there is one quarter of the sample remaining; after 3, one eighth, etc. Each isotope has a different half-life, ranging from femtoseconds to billions of years.

The equation for nuclear half-life is

AT = A0 2(-T/H)

Where A0 is the original activity of the sample, AT is the activity of the sample after some time T, and H is the half-life in units of T.

For more information, please see the Related Link below.

On the other side of the coin, is biological half-life, which is an approximation of how long it takes for one half of an ingested material (not necessarily radioactive) to leave the body. It is not necessarily logarithmic. It depends on various things, such as the metabolic rate in the liver, the excretion rate in the kidneys, the respiration rate in the lungs, the waste elimination rate in the intestines, etc.

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Physics

What are three physical factors that have no effect on the amount of radiation emitted by a radioactive source?

The half-life of the radioactive material, the type of decay process, and the initial quantity of radioactive material are physical factors that do not affect the amount of radiation emitted by a radioactive source. Radiation emission is solely determined by the intrinsic properties of the radioactive material itself.


What type of device includes any point source that emits radiation without actively dispersing radioactive material across an area?

A point source device that emits radiation without actively dispersing radioactive material across an area is commonly referred to as a sealed radiation source. Such sources are contained within a sealed casing or structure that prevents the escape of radioactive material.


Which energy source generates radioactive waste?

Nuclear energy generates radioactive waste in the form of spent nuclear fuel, which contains radioactive isotopes. This waste must be stored and managed properly due to its long-term hazardous nature.


Which type of devices includes any point source that emits radiation without actively dispersing radioactive material across an area?

Devices that include any point source that emits radiation without actively dispersing radioactive material across an area are considered sealed radiation sources. These sources are contained within a sealed container or device, preventing the spread of radioactive material.


What is the longest radioactive halflife?

First, it isn't very accurate to talk about a radioactive "element"; you should talk about radioactive isotopes. Different isotopes of the same element can have very different behavior in this sense. For example, hydrogen-1 and hydrogen-2 are stable, while hydrogen-3 is not (half-life about 19 years).Individual atoms, in a radioactive isotope, will decay at a random moment. The half-life refers to how long it takes for half of the atoms in a given sample to decay (and convert to some other type of isotope).

Related Questions

Is any isotope of lead is radioactive?

many. one example is lead-214 with a halflife of 26.8 minutes.


What is the time needed for half of a sample of a radioactive isotope to break down to form daughter isotopes called?

halflife


What if your cat is radioactive with the same halflife as carbon 14. how many years will it take for three fourths of your cat to degrade?

my grandma


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.


How do scientists use the halflife of radioactive isotopes to date rocks and fossils?

The basic idea is to compare the abundance of a naturally occurring radioactive isotope within a material to the abundance of its decay products; it is known how fast the radioactive isotope decays.


What is meant by the word radioactive?

emits radioactive particles.


What is sealed and unsealed radioactive source?

sealed radioactive source means the radioactive isotopes which is encapsulated with a stainless steel to avoid higher LET radiation condamination .typically source may be used in brachytherapy to treat the cancer and unsealed source used to in nuclear medicine which is the radioactive source is not sealed examble IODINE131


WHAT DOES The amount of radiation that an individual absorbs depends on?

Time exposed to a radioactive source and the Distance a person is from a radioactive source and Type and amount of shielding between a person and a radioactive source.


How would you describe the isotopes of hydrogen?

Hydrogen has three isotopes: protium (1H), deuterium (2H), and tritium (3H). Protium is the most abundant and consists of one proton and one electron. Deuterium contains one proton, one neutron, and one electron. Tritium has one proton, two neutrons, and one electron.


What is the source of heating in the mantle?

Source of heat in mantle come from radioactive decay of the radioactive elements inside the earth..


The amount of radiation that an individual absorbs depended on what?

Time exposed to a radioactive source Distance a person is from a radioactive source Type and amount of shielding between a person and a radioactive source X All answers are correct


When was Illadelph Halflife created?

Illadelph Halflife was created on 1996-09-24.