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Although scientists have defined half-lives for different elements, the exact rate is completely random. It could be anywhere between instantaneous and the total age of the universe. We know that a nucleus will decay at some point we just cannot predict when.
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Radioactive decay is random, and measured half-lives are based on the most probable rate.
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We see the concept in any area where the quantity or strength of something decreases over time. Information also has a half-life, as do drugs, marketing campaigns, and all sorts of other things. Twenty-nine elements are known to be capable of undergoing this process. The term is most often used in the context of radioactive decay, which occurs when unstable atomic particles lose energy. The BasicsĪ half-life is the time taken for something to halve its quantity. It will explain why our careers are increasingly specialized and offer a look into how we can compete more effectively in a very crowded world. Understanding the concept of a half-life will change what you read and how you invest your time.
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