This is a free preview. For full access
Energy: Nuclear Chemistry
Half-Life and Radioactive Decay
Description
Half-Life and Radioactive Decay
Radioactive decay is the process by which unstable atoms break down over time, releasing energy in the form of radiation. As this happens, the atoms change into different, more stable elements. The half-life is the time it takes for half of a sample of radioactive material to decay. Every ra...
Show More
Transcript
Radioactive decay is a natural process where unstable atoms break down over time and change into different atoms.
These unstable atoms are called radioactive isotopes, and they release energy in the form of radiation as they decay.
This change doesn’t happen all at once. Instead, it happens slowly and in a predictable way.
Thi...
Show More