Question
What name is given to the time taken for half of the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay?
Answer
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Clara
Master · Tutor for 5 years
Answer
Half-life
Explanation
This question is referring to a concept in nuclear physics. The time taken for half of the radioactive nuclei (or any kind of particles undergoing a decay process) in a sample to decay is defined as the half-life. The half-life describes the time it takes for one-half of the total amount of matter in a given substance to undergo a radioactive process, in which certain atomic particles are released. This is a fundamental concept in different fields of science and often used e.g. in carbon-dating or medical treatments. The exact time can differ widely dependent on the material.