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Created page with "==Key Stage 5== ===Meaning=== The '''decay constant''' is the probability of an individual nucleus decaying per second. ===About De..."
==Key Stage 5==
===Meaning===
The '''decay constant''' is the probability of an individual [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]] [[Decay (Physics)|decaying]] per [[second]].
===About Decay Constant===
The '''decay constant''' is denoted by the symbol '''𝜆'''.
The [[Decay (Physics)|decay]] constant provides a [[measure]] of the rate at which a [[radioactive]] substance undergoes [[Decay (Physics)|decay]].
Higher [[Decay (Physics)|decay]] constant indicates a more rapid [[Decay (Physics)|decay]] process.
Used in the calculation of the activity of a [[radioactive]] sample.
===Formula===
The '''decay constant''' is related to the [[Half Life|half-life]] of a [[radioactive]] substance by the formula:
*<math>𝜆=\frac{ln(2)}{t_1/2}</math>
Where:
𝜆 is the '''decay constant'''
t<sub>1/2</sub> is the [[Half Life|half-life]] of a given [[isotope]]
===Examples===
*The '''decay constant''' of [[Carbon-14]] is used in [[Radiocarbon Dating|radiocarbon dating]].
*[[Radon]]-222 has a higher [[Decay (Physics)|decay]] constant than [[Uranium-238]], indicating it [[Decay (Physics)|decays]] more rapidly.
===Meaning===
The '''decay constant''' is the probability of an individual [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]] [[Decay (Physics)|decaying]] per [[second]].
===About Decay Constant===
The '''decay constant''' is denoted by the symbol '''𝜆'''.
The [[Decay (Physics)|decay]] constant provides a [[measure]] of the rate at which a [[radioactive]] substance undergoes [[Decay (Physics)|decay]].
Higher [[Decay (Physics)|decay]] constant indicates a more rapid [[Decay (Physics)|decay]] process.
Used in the calculation of the activity of a [[radioactive]] sample.
===Formula===
The '''decay constant''' is related to the [[Half Life|half-life]] of a [[radioactive]] substance by the formula:
*<math>𝜆=\frac{ln(2)}{t_1/2}</math>
Where:
𝜆 is the '''decay constant'''
t<sub>1/2</sub> is the [[Half Life|half-life]] of a given [[isotope]]
===Examples===
*The '''decay constant''' of [[Carbon-14]] is used in [[Radiocarbon Dating|radiocarbon dating]].
*[[Radon]]-222 has a higher [[Decay (Physics)|decay]] constant than [[Uranium-238]], indicating it [[Decay (Physics)|decays]] more rapidly.