Half Life Calculator
Half-Life Calculator
Results
Decay Timeline
| Time | Amount | % Remaining |
|---|---|---|
| 0.00 years | 100.0000 | 100.00% |
| 2000.00 years | 78.5106 | 78.51% |
| 4000.00 years | 61.6392 | 61.64% |
| 6000.00 years | 48.3933 | 48.39% |
| 8000.00 years | 37.9939 | 37.99% |
| 10000.00 years | 29.8292 | 29.83% |
Calculate radioactive decay & drug metabolism with our Half-Life Calculator. Determine remaining amounts, find half-life values, and visualize decay curves. Free online tool.
Half-Life Calculator Documentation
What Is This?
A tool that calculates radioactive decay or drug metabolism using half-life principles. Perfect for students, researchers, and medical professionals needing quick decay rate calculations.
Key Formulas
Decay Calculation:
N(t) = N₀ × (1/2)^(t/t½)Where:
N(t)= Remaining quantityN₀= Initial quantityt= Elapsed timet½= Half-life duration
Reverse Calculation:
t½ = t / log₂(N₀/N(t))How to Use
Select Mode:
- Decay Mode: Calculate remaining substance
- Reverse Mode: Find unknown half-life
Enter Values:
- Initial quantity (atoms, grams, etc.)
- Half-life duration (with time unit)
- Elapsed time (or remaining quantity for reverse mode)
View Results:
- Numerical results
- Interactive decay curve
- Detailed timeline table
FAQs
Q: What’s half-life?
A: Time required for a quantity to reduce to half its initial value.
Q: Can I use this for medication?
A: Yes, but consult doctors for actual dosing - this shows theoretical values only.
Q: Why different time units?
A: Radioactive materials decay at vastly different rates (seconds to billions of years).
Terminology
- Half-life (t½): Time for 50% substance decay
- Decay Constant (λ): Probability of decay per unit time (λ = ln(2)/t½)
- Activity: Decays per second (measured in Becquerels)
Formula Sources
Based on:
- Rutherford-Soddy Law (1902 radioactive decay theory)
- First-order kinetics (Exponential decay equations)
- NIST nuclear data for preset values
Important Notes
⚠️ Medical Use: Theoretical values ≠ medical advice
⚠️ Safety: Never handle radioactive materials without training
⚠️ Precision: For academic work, verify with laboratory measurements
⚠️ Assumptions: Ignores environmental factors affecting decay rates
Visualization Tips
- Hover chart points to see exact values
- Compare multiple materials using the presets dropdown
- Export data via right-click on charts