Rate laws for radioactive decay

All radioactive decays occur with first-order kinetics, with the exception of electron capture, which is a two-particle collision. The differential rate law for radioactive decay is given by Equation (2.7). After integration, an alternative and more useful form of the rate law is shown by Equation (2.8). The half-life of radioactive decay is defined as the length of time it takes for the number of unstable nuclides to decrease to exactly one-half of their original value. The half-life, t can be calculated using Equation (2.9), where k is the first-order rate constant... 

AU radioactive elements decay according to first-order kinetics (Chapter 13) the half-life equation and the integrated rate law for radioactive decay are derived fiom the first-order rate laws. 

EXAMPLE 25-4 Applying the Integrated Rate Law for Radioactive Decay Radiocarbon Dating... 

---

See also in sourсe #XX -- [ ]

---