Half-life of Decay

The half-life of a nuclear reaction is defined as the amount of time required for half of the original sample to react. This is calculated using the equation, t_1/2 = 0.693/k,

Where:

• k is the rate constant, which is different for each radioactive nuclide
• t_1/2 is the half-life

This equation is for a first order process and the resulting units of t_1/2 will be dependent on the units of k, but will be a measurement of time (minutes, seconds, years...etc.)

See Also

Rate Law Half-Lives

Half-life (zero order)

Half-life (second order)

Half-life (first order)

References

ChemWiki

Whitten, et al. "Chemistry" 10th Edition. Pp. 863