Half-life (Noun)
Meaning
The time required for something to fall to half its initial value (in particular, the time for half the atoms in a radioactive substance to disintegrate).
Classification
Nouns denoting time and temporal relations.
Examples
- The scientist measured the half-life of the radioactive isotope to understand its rate of decay.
- The team studied the half-life of various radioactive materials to determine their potential for medical use.
- The teacher explained to the class that the half-life of carbon-14 is approximately 5,730 years.
- By calculating the half-life of radon-222, researchers were able to assess the risks associated with prolonged exposure.
- The geologist analyzed the half-life of uranium-238 to date the age of the mineral specimens.