The Law of Radioactive Decay (Leaving Cert Physics): Flashcards

Random process

Rate of decay; nuclei decaying per second

Becquerel (Bq)

1 disintegration per second

$A = \lambda N$

Radioactive decay constant

$s^{-1}$

Time for half of undecayed nuclei to decay

1/2 or 50%

Exponential decay curve

$T_{1/2} = \frac{0.693}{\lambda}$

Fast decay (large decay constant)

Slow decay (small decay constant)

$(\frac{1}{2})^n$

Number of undecayed nuclei