The Law of Radioactive Decay

The Law of Radioactive Decay states that unstable atoms, called radioactive isotopes, transform into more stable forms over time at a predictable rate. This process occurs randomly for individual atoms but follows a consistent mathematical pattern across a large population. Specifically, a fixed percentage of the radioactive atoms decay in a given time period, leading to an exponential decrease in their number. This decay rate is characterized by a constant called the half-life, which is the time it takes for half of the original atoms to decay. This principle helps scientists date ancient objects and understand nuclear processes.