The Radioactivity of a Sample Always a Decreases Over Time Flashcards
1
Q
What happens each time a decay happens and an alpha or beta particle or gamma ray is given out?
A
It means one more radioactive nucleus has disappeared
2
Q
What happens as the unstable nuclei disappear?
A
The activity will decrease
3
Q
The older a sample becomes….
A
The less radiation it will emit
4
Q
Why is it difficult to measure how quickly the activity drops off?
A
The activity never reaches zero
5
Q
Because it never reaches zero, what do we use the idea of?
A
Half-life
6
Q
What is half-life?
A
The time taken for half of the radioactive atoms now present to decay
