Radioactive Decay Calculator

Enter value and click on calculate. Result will be displayed.
Start Time:
End Time:
Activity at Day 0:
Isotope:

Volume at STP:

Half-Life:












What is a Radioactive Decay Calculator?

A Radioactive Decay Calculator is a tool that helps you calculate how much of a radioactive substance remains after a given time, based on its half-life. Radioactive decay is the process by which unstable atomic nuclei lose energy by emitting radiation, and the rate of decay follows a predictable pattern.

The equation used for calculating the remaining amount of a radioactive substance is:

Where:

  • N₀ = Initial amount of the substance
  • Nₜ = Remaining amount of the substance after time t
  • λ = Decay constant (related to the half-life)
  • t = Time elapsed
  • e = Euler's number (approximately 2.71828)

Alternatively, it can also be expressed using half-life:

Where:

  • T₁/₂ = Half-life of the substance

Why it's important:

A Radioactive Decay Calculator is important because it allows you to predict the behavior of radioactive substances over time. It is used in various fields, such as:

  • Nuclear medicine (for calculating the decay of isotopes used in treatments)
  • Radiocarbon dating (for determining the age of ancient objects)
  • Environmental science (for understanding how radioactive materials decay and affect the environment)
  • Nuclear power (for calculating how long radioactive waste remains hazardous)

How it works:

Radioactive decay follows a random process, but it can be modeled statistically. The decay rate is exponential, meaning that the amount of substance decreases by half after each half-life. The half-life is the time it takes for half of the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay. The rate of decay is characterized by the decay constant (λ), which is specific to each substance.

When it's used:

A Radioactive Decay Calculator is useful when:

  • Determining the remaining amount of a radioactive substance: It calculates how much of the substance remains after a given period, such as in nuclear waste management or carbon dating.
  • Understanding decay rates in environmental studies: It helps estimate the impact of radioactive materials in the environment over time.
  • In nuclear medicine: To determine the correct timing for administering radioactive isotopes in medical treatments or imaging.

Radioactive Decay Calculator:

A Radioactive Decay Calculator typically requires the following inputs:

  • Initial amount (N₀) of the substance
  • Half-life (T₁/₂) or decay constant (λ)
  • Elapsed time (t)

The calculator then calculates the remaining amount (Nₜ) of the radioactive substance after the specified time.

For example:

  • If you have 100g of a substance with a half-life of 10 years and you want to know how much remains after 30 years, the calculator would show you that 12.5g remains (since 30 years equals 3 half-lives).

In short, a Radioactive Decay Calculator is an essential tool for predicting how much radioactive material will remain at any given time, which is critical in fields like archaeology, medicine, and environmental science.