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HALF-LIFE (1)
HALF-LIFE (1)
ScnMaster
the length of
time
it takes for half the
atoms
of a
particular
radioactive
(giving off, or capable of giving off, radiant
energy
in the
form
of particles or rays by the
spontaneous
disintegration of atomic
nuclei
) substance to
break
down or decay. The
half-life
of a
particular
radioactive
substance is always the
same
and is the
principal
characteristic used to distinguish one
radioactive
substance from another, and to
measure
radioactivity.
—PDC Volume 7 Approved Glossary