Topic Details (Notes format)

Half-Life

Subject: Chemistry

Book: General Chemistry

Half-life is the time required for half of a radioactive substance to decay. It is a constant unique to each isotope (e.g., carbon-14 has a half-life of ~5,730 years). By measuring remaining activity or parent-daughter ratios, scientists determine ages of archaeological artifacts or geological samples. Knowledge of half-life guides nuclear waste management and medical usage of radioisotopes for diagnostics or therapy.

Practice Questions

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