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| Posted By: Jo Posted On: Mar 23, 2004 Views: 983 | May be... I posted this by accident under one of the previous topics...I ment to start a new one...so here it is, sorry! I have a question, I am probably incorrect. Radioactive materials have half-lives, yes? But if I am correct, the radioactivity never COMPLEATLY depleats. I am not sure if this is correct, but if it is, would it be an example of infinity? Thanks! |
| Posted By: Keith Mayes Posted On: Mar 24, 2004 Views: 982 | RE: May be... Hi Jo, Yes, radioactivity is expressed in terms of 'half life'. This means, as you know, that in that given period it will lose 50% of its radioactive material. So it would appear that there is always 50% remaining, but this is not quite the case, and it does not mean infinite radiation. I quote from John Gribbin's book "Companion to the Cosmos". "There are two types of radioactive decay, alpha decay and beta decay. They have the effect of transforming a radioactive original nucleus into a nucleus of another element, which may or may not be radioactive itself. Decay happens on a characteristic timescale known as a half life. This kind of decay may occur in a chain several steps long before ending up with a stable nucleus. Decay may also involve the release of energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation." Radiation, as all things, does come to an end. Keith |
| Posted By: Jo Posted On: Mar 24, 2004 Views: 980 | RE: May be... Thank you for the explanation! -Jo |