- #1
esmeralda4
- 52
- 0
Hi,
My textbook states a decay constant of an isotope as 3.84 x 10 to the minus 12 - per second.
Surely decay constant can't be the number of decays per second because that wouldn't stay constant. As the isotope decays there are less atoms to decay and therefore the rate reduces.
So what does decay constant mean? and why are the units per second?
Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks
My textbook states a decay constant of an isotope as 3.84 x 10 to the minus 12 - per second.
Surely decay constant can't be the number of decays per second because that wouldn't stay constant. As the isotope decays there are less atoms to decay and therefore the rate reduces.
So what does decay constant mean? and why are the units per second?
Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks