Half-Life Flashcards
1
Q
How can the emission of radiation from a radioactive isotope be described?
A
It can be described as an entirely random process
2
Q
What is found if one studies the rate at which any particular radioactive isotope breaks up?
A
It is found that each radioactive isotope decays at its own rate
3
Q
What is the half-life of an element?
A
The time taken for half of the nuclei in any given sample to decay
4
Q
What is the half-life of elements used to compare?
A
It is used to compare the rate of decay of radioactive isotopes
5
Q
What two instruments may be used to find the half-life of a radioactive material
A
A Geiger-Muller tube and ratemeter
