Which term describes the length of time required for half of a group of radioactive atoms to decay?

Which term describes the length of time required for half of a group of radioactive atoms to decay?

• A. IndN
• B. Industrial rough
• C. Half-life
• D. Igneous

Answer: (C)

Half-life is the time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay. This property is specific to the isotope and stays constant regardless of how much material you have, or changes in temperature or pressure. So, if you start with 1000 unstable atoms, after one half-life about 500 remain, after two half-lives about 250, and so on. The other terms listed aren’t used to describe decay timing or rates, so they don’t fit. Thus, half-life correctly describes the requested concept.

Half-life is the time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay. This property is specific to the isotope and stays constant regardless of how much material you have, or changes in temperature or pressure. So, if you start with 1000 unstable atoms, after one half-life about 500 remain, after two half-lives about 250, and so on. The other terms listed aren’t used to describe decay timing or rates, so they don’t fit. Thus, half-life correctly describes the requested concept.