![]() The half-life of a certain type of atom does not describe the exact amount of time that every single atom experiences before decaying. It is impossible to predict when an individual radioactive atom will decay. However, this statement is not completely true.įirst of all, it is worth pointing out that the time when an individual radioactive atom decays is completely random. Since radioactive decay is a spontaneous event, you may think that the half-life of the decay process is completely fixed and cannot be altered by outside influences. This process changes the atom to a different element or a different isotope. Radioactive decay happens when an unstable atomic nucleus spontaneously changes to a lower-energy state and spits out a bit of radiation. Yes, the decay half-life of a radioactive material can be changed. Public Domain Image, source: Christopher S.
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