1. What is the Amount of Substance Left After n Half Lives?

Definition: This calculator determines the remaining quantity of a radioactive substance after it has undergone a certain number of half-lives.

Purpose: It helps in nuclear physics, radiochemistry, and medical applications to understand radioactive decay processes.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the radioactive decay formula:

Where:

• \( N_t \) — Amount remaining after n half-lives (kg)
• \( N_0 \) — Initial amount of substance (kg)
• \( n \) — Number of half-lives elapsed

Explanation: Each half-life reduces the remaining quantity by half, following exponential decay.

3. Importance of Half-Life Calculations

Details: Understanding radioactive decay is crucial for radiation safety, radiometric dating, nuclear medicine, and radioactive waste management.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the initial amount of substance (must be > 0) and the number of half-lives (can be 0 or positive). The result shows the remaining quantity.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What exactly is a half-life?
A: A half-life is the time required for half of the radioactive atoms present to decay.

Q2: Can the number of half-lives be a fraction?
A: Yes, you can calculate for fractional half-lives (e.g., 2.5 half-lives).

Q3: How does this relate to actual time?
A: Multiply the number of half-lives by the substance's specific half-life duration to get actual time.

Q4: What if I know the time instead of half-lives?
A: First calculate number of half-lives by dividing total time by the substance's half-life duration.

Q5: Does this formula work for all radioactive substances?
A: Yes, the formula applies universally to all radioactive decay processes.