Reflecting on Nuclear Decay: Understanding Half-Life

How does nuclear decay work?

Nuclear decay is a process in which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation. One common way to measure nuclear decay is through half-life, which is the time it takes for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay.

Explanation:

When a nucleus undergoes decay, it transforms into a more stable nucleus. This transformation occurs randomly and is not affected by external factors. The rate at which this decay happens is characterized by the half-life of the substance.

Half-life is an important concept in nuclear physics as it allows scientists to predict the rate of decay and understand the behavior of radioactive materials over time. By using the decay formula, we can calculate the amount of remaining radioactive material at any given time.