Physical Science 7.4d - A typical radioactive decay

From the Physical Science course by Derek Owens. Eighth grade level. Distance Learning courses are available at http://www.derekowens.com

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Education

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• Physical Science
• radioactive decay
• radioactive
• decay
• fission
• proton
• neutron
• nucleus
• atomic nucleus
• homeschool
• distance learning
• Derek Owens

[theREALiceveela]

because zinc has a half life of 145 years, if i had a pound of zinc, and went back in time 145 years, would the zinc increase to two pounds?

[derekowens]

I imagine that could work... if you had a time machine (probably some engineering challenges there...) and if two pounds of zinc actually was there a year ago.

[theREALiceveela]

so...if i had 2 pounds of zinc and waited 145 years, i would only have half the mass of the zinc? would it be half zinc half something else? or would the zinc just start disappearing?

[derekowens]

You have the right idea on the half life. In truth, though, zinc is not radioactive. Half of it would not decay in 145 years. But IF you had a radioactive substance with a half life of 145 years, then yes, half of it would decay.

There are by products from radioactive decay. For example, when uranium decays, you get radiation and lead is left over.

[derekowens]

That's right. I don't post every single video, just a small sample.

[dracentsparkle]

thanks dearheart

[theREALiceveela]

oops, i mean days!

[u2bMonkey]

For some reason, I can't find video 7.4b ...