Decay Constant Calculator

What is the Decay Constant?

The decay constant (λ) is a characteristic of a radioactive substance that represents the probability of decay per unit time. It's related to half-life (t₁/₂) by the formula:

λ = ln(2) / t₁/₂ ≈ 0.693 / t₁/₂

How to Use This Calculator

1. Enter either the half-life or the mean lifetime of the radioactive substance in seconds.
2. The calculator will automatically calculate the decay constant if both values are not provided.
3. The result will be displayed in units of per second (s⁻¹).
4. You can reset the form to calculate a different substance.

Understanding Radioactive Decay

Radioactive decay is a random process where unstable atomic nuclei lose energy by emitting radiation. The decay constant describes how quickly this process occurs:

• Half-life (t₁/₂): The time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay.
• Mean Lifetime (τ): The average time an atom will exist before decaying.
• Decay Constant (λ): The probability of decay per unit time.

These three parameters are related by the formula: λ = 1/τ = ln(2)/t₁/₂