Half Life - Radioactivity

Front

What is Half Life in the context of radioactivity?

Back

Half Life is the time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay into a different substance.

Front

What is a Parent isotope?

Back

A Parent isotope is an unstable radioactive atom that decays into a more stable Daughter isotope.

Front

What is a Daughter isotope?

Back

A Daughter isotope is the stable product formed when a Parent isotope decays.

Front

How much of the Parent isotope remains after 1 Half Life?

Back

50% of the Parent isotope remains after 1 Half Life.

Front

How much of the Parent isotope remains after 2 Half Lives?

Back

25% of the Parent isotope remains after 2 Half Lives.

Front

What happens to the amount of Daughter isotope after each Half Life?

Back

The amount of Daughter isotope increases after each Half Life as the Parent isotope decays.

Front

If a sample starts with 100 atoms of a Parent isotope, how many will remain after 3 Half Lives?

Back

12.5 atoms of the Parent isotope will remain after 3 Half Lives.

Front

What does it mean if a radioactive element is described as unstable?

Back

An unstable radioactive element is one that will decay over time, emitting radiation and transforming into a different element.

Front

What is the significance of the Half Life of a radioactive substance?

Back

The Half Life helps determine how long it will take for a given amount of a radioactive substance to decay to a safe level.

Front

Can the Half Life of a radioactive isotope change?

Back

No, the Half Life of a radioactive isotope is a constant property and does not change.