Question 28
Radioactivity and Nuclear PhysicsWhich of the following is the correct definition of 'half-life'?
- A.The average life-time of a radioactive material
- B.The time it takes a radioactive material to decay to half of its original quantity.
- C.Half the period a radioactive material decays completely
- D.Half of the decay constant
- E.The decay constant times life-time.
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: B (The time it takes a radioactive material to decay to half of its original quantity.)
Explanation
Half-life is the time taken for half of the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay.