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Radioactive Half-Life definitions

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  • Half-Life
    Time interval needed for 50% of an unstable isotope sample to decay, unique for each element.
  • Radioisotope
    Unstable atomic variant that emits radiation as its nucleus transforms into a more stable form.
  • Isotope
    Form of an element with the same atomic number but different mass number due to varying neutrons.
  • Mass Number
    Sum of protons and neutrons in an atomic nucleus, used to distinguish isotopes.
  • Atomic Number
    Count of protons in an atom's nucleus, defining the chemical identity of the element.
  • Radioactive Decay
    Spontaneous process where an unstable nucleus emits radiation, leading to a more stable state.
  • Fraction Remaining
    Proportion of original radioisotope left after a certain number of half-lives, calculated as 0.5^n.
  • Percentage Remaining
    Amount of radioisotope left, expressed as a percent, found by multiplying fraction remaining by 100.
  • Initial Amount
    Starting quantity of a radioisotope before any decay has occurred, used in decay calculations.
  • Final Amount
    Quantity of radioisotope left after a given number of half-lives, found using decay formulas.
  • Unstable Nucleus
    Atomic core prone to transformation, causing emission of radiation and leading to decay.
  • Decay Formula
    Mathematical expression, such as initial amount times 0.5^n, used to calculate remaining substance.
  • Radiation
    Energy or particles released from the nucleus during the transformation of an unstable isotope.