Half-Life - IB Physics

0:00 Review of Random and Spontaneous
0:40 Law of Large Numbers
3:05 Definition of Half-Life
6:12 Half-Life Equation
6:57 Unit of Radioactivity (Bq)
7:21 Graphs & Half-Life
8:24 Word Problem 1
8:57 Word Problem 2
9:30 Word Problem 3
11:04 Graph Problem

[elibardash]

Math, chemistry, physics... which subject in school DOESN’T talk about half-lives??!!

[karhukivi]

Radioactive decay is a continuous process, the number of atoms decaying at any instant is proportional to the amount present at that instant. Decay constant (k) is a better way to describe what is happening as it is a fraction or a proportion like depreciation or tax deducted. Decay constant is what is measured in the laboratory, not half-life as some people think and argue as impossible to measure for long-lived (>>60 years) radionuclides. The idea of "half-life" (T½) is just a convenient way to deal with decay constants T½ = ln(2)/k or 0.693/k approx. as the numbers are easier to remember and relate to time. There are people out there that think two half-lives equals one whole life!

[arshia]

hi i just wanted to ask if you have any predictions for the IB may 2023 papers, thank you so much for your lectures btw!!