Radioactive decay & half-life
Single nuclei are random; ensemble N=N₀(½)^(t/T)=N₀e^(−λt), λ=ln2/T; counts fluctuate as √N.
Atomic & modern physics (senior)Photoelectric effect, nuclear model, spectra, decay.
Start here
Radioactive decay & half-life
Radioactive decay: exponential decay N=N₀e⁻ᵏᵗ. This “Radioactive decay & half-life” page is an MVP interactive sketch — formulas, controls, and live readouts in the browser; a fuller bench may follow.
Radioactive decay: exponential decay N=N₀e⁻ᵏᵗ.
Key formulas
N=N_0e^{-\lambda t}t_{1/2}=\ln 2/\lambda
How to use
- Adjust parameters in the left panel.
- Use play / pause and speed controls.
- Match right-side readouts to the formulas.
- Reset to return to the initial state.
Applications
- Radioactive decay & half-life: Radioactive decay: exponential decay N=N₀e⁻ᵏᵗ.
- Classroom focus: ensemble N=N₀(½)^(t/T)=N₀e^(−λt), λ=ln2/T.
FAQ
What does MVP mean on this page?
An interactive sketch with formulas and parameters. Polished Ready labs are the full bench experience.
What does the “Radioactive decay & half-life” lab practice?
Tune parameters and match readouts to the “Radioactive decay & half-life” relations — useful for prep and demos.
What does the photoelectric effect show?
Light has particle aspects: photon energy hν and a cutoff frequency.
Is half-life a single nucleus’s lifetime?
No — it is statistical for a large sample; one nucleus decays randomly.