How is radioactive decay measured?

Radioactive decay is primarily measured by the half-life of the radioactive isotope. The half-life is the time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay into another form, typically a stable isotope or a different radionuclide. This property is inherent to each radioactive isotope and allows scientists to predict how long it will take for a given quantity of the substance to reduce to half its initial amount.

Understanding half-lives is crucial in fields like nuclear medicine, radiology, and safety protocols, as it helps in determining appropriate handling, storage, and disposal of radioactive materials. This measurement is fundamental for applications in various scientific and medical fields, ensuring safety when working with radioactive substances. The half-life concept provides a consistent framework to quantify and communicate the rate at which radioactive materials decay, making it an essential parameter in radiation safety assessments and practices.