Radioactive Decay: Dependency on Temp & Pressure?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on whether radioactive decay is influenced by temperature and pressure, exploring the underlying physical mechanisms and implications of these factors on decay rates. The scope includes conceptual reasoning and exploratory questioning regarding the nature of radioactive decay.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that radioactive decay may be dependent on temperature and pressure, but is uncertain about the mechanisms involved.
  • Another participant questions the reasoning behind the initial thoughts, asking for sources and physical mechanisms that could explain any potential changes due to temperature and pressure.
  • A different participant argues that pressure does not influence reactivity equations, while acknowledging that temperature affects particle movement and is related to pressure, leading to confusion.
  • Another viewpoint presented is that radioactive decay is fundamentally a property of the nucleus, with temperature and pressure affecting atomic motion rather than decay itself.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the influence of temperature and pressure on radioactive decay, with no consensus reached on the matter.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the definitions of reactivity and decay, as well as the assumptions about the relationship between temperature, pressure, and decay rates.

soccerguy312
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Is radioactive decay dependent on temperature? what about pressure?

my initial thinking is yes and no
 
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soccerguy312 said:
Is radioactive decay dependent on temperature? what about pressure?

my initial thinking is yes and no

Welcome to the PF. Why do you think those are the answers. What sources of information did you check out in order to get to those answers? What physical mechanisms are you thinking are behind any change versus temperature and pressure?
 
because pressure has no feed into any reactivity equations I have seen. however temperature increases how fast particles move.. and temperature affects pressure so I am confused
 
Radioactive decay is a property/phenomenon of the nucleus.

Temperature and pressure affect the atom, and are related to the translational motion of atoms., or in the case of a compressive stress, pressure relates to a local force applied to a unit area.
 

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