Radioactive Decay Calculator

Calculate remaining radioactive material using N = N0 * (1/2)^(t/t_half).

g
years
years

Remaining Amount

25.0000 g

Amount Decayed75.0000 g
Fraction Remaining0.250000

Remaining Amount vs Time Elapsed

Formule

## Radioactive Decay Radioactive materials decay at a rate characterized by the half-life. ### Formula **N = N_0 * (1/2)^(t / t_half)** where N_0 is the initial amount, t is elapsed time, and t_half is the half-life. After each half-life, exactly half the material remains.

Exemple Résolu

100 g of Carbon-14 (half-life 5730 years) after 11,460 years (2 half-lives).

  1. 01N = N0 * (1/2)^(t/t_half)
  2. 02N = 100 * (1/2)^(11460/5730)
  3. 03N = 100 * (1/2)^2
  4. 04N = 100 * 0.25 = 25 g
  5. 05Decayed: 100 - 25 = 75 g

Questions Fréquentes

What is a half-life?

The time required for exactly half of a radioactive sample to decay. After one half-life, 50% remains; after two, 25%; after three, 12.5%, and so on.

How is carbon dating done?

Living organisms absorb Carbon-14. After death, the C-14 decays (t_half = 5730 years). Measuring the remaining fraction reveals the age.

Can half-life be changed?

No. Radioactive decay is a nuclear process unaffected by temperature, pressure, chemical state, or any external conditions.

Apprendre

Understanding Newton's Laws of Motion

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