Radioactive Decay Calculator
Calculate Radioactive Decay
About Radioactive Decay
Radioactive decay follows exponential decay laws. The rate of decay is proportional to the number of radioactive nuclei present.
Decay Law:
N(t) = N₀ × e^(-λt)
Half-Life Relationship:
λ = ln(2) / t₁/₂
Activity:
A(t) = A₀ × e^(-λt)
Where:
- N(t) = Number of nuclei at time t
- N₀ = Initial number of nuclei
- λ = Decay constant
- t₁/₂ = Half-life
- A(t) = Activity at time t
Common Half-Lives:
• ¹⁴C: 5,730 years
• ²³⁸U: 4.47 × 10⁹ years
• ¹³¹I: 8.02 days
• ⁹⁰Sr: 28.8 years
Applications:
• Radiometric dating
• Nuclear medicine
• Radiation therapy
• Nuclear power
Understanding radioactive decay is essential in nuclear physics, archaeology, medicine, and energy production.