Time dilation significantly affects radioactive decay, particularly when atoms are accelerated to near light speeds, causing their decay rates to slow. This phenomenon is exemplified by cosmic-ray muons, which survive longer due to time dilation effects. Additionally, temperature influences time dilation, as "hot" atoms exhibit increased motion compared to "cold" atoms, although the effect on decay rates is minimal at ordinary temperatures. This discussion clarifies misconceptions regarding the impact of temperature on radioactive decay.
PREREQUISITESPhysicists, students of relativity, and anyone interested in the intersection of temperature, motion, and radioactive decay processes.
It affects all physical processes.Sothh said:Does time dilation effect radioactive decay?
Sure.For example, if I speed a radioactive atom up to near light speeds, will its decay slow?
Yes. The effect is extremely small at ordinary temperatures, but for example it's big enough to make the Mossbauer effect impossible to observe in gases:Sothh said:Does temperature effect time dilation? Since a "hot" atom will be moving more then a "cold" atom, with the speed difference change the decay of the atom?
Sothh said:Thanks. That clears a lot up.
Everywhere else I have looked states that temperature does not effect radioactive decay.