Author Topic: Radioactive decay  (Read 3992 times)

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Offline z3ro

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Radioactive decay
« on: February 15, 2013, 02:41:55 pm »
I was taught that radioactive decay is a COMPLETELY random process... but I can't figure out why   ???
It is really random? completely unpredictable?  :o   :o

~ God is real. Unless declared as an integer.

Offline Axon

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Re: Radioactive decay
« Reply #1 on: February 15, 2013, 03:45:22 pm »
I was taught that radioactive decay is a COMPLETELY random process... but I can't figure out why   ???
It is really random? completely unpredictable?  :o   :o


I don't know what do you mean by random process? Radioactive decay happens when atoms have excess energy, and since all atoms in the universe always tend to become in a stable state. Therefore, the atoms with excess energy(excited state) lose this energy in the form of radiation called radioactive decay.

Offline z3ro

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Re: Radioactive decay
« Reply #2 on: February 15, 2013, 04:04:47 pm »
Quote
Radioactive decay is a stochastic (i.e., random) process at the level of single atoms, in that, according to quantum theory, it is impossible to predict when a particular atom will decay. However, the chance that a given atom will decay is constant over time.
~ God is real. Unless declared as an integer.