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Reference, Questions and Help => Nuke Q&A => Definitions => Topic started by: Rennhack on Nov 23, 2005, 04:21

Title: Half-life
Post by: Rennhack on Nov 23, 2005, 04:21

The time in which one half of the atoms of a radioactive isotope disintegrates into another nuclear form. Half-lives vary from billionths of a billionth of a second to billions of years. Also called physical or radiological half-life. 

Biological half-life - the time an organism takes to eliminate one half the amount of a compound or chemical on a strictly biological basis

Effective half life - incorporates both the radioactive and biological half-lives. It is used in calculating the dose received from an internal radiation source.

Title: Re: Half-life
Post by: Rennhack on Nov 28, 2005, 11:05

http://www.epa.gov/radiation/understand/halflife.htm