sci.radioactive-decay-series Calculator
Calculates nuclide activities in a radioactive decay chain and determines when transient or secular equilibrium is achieved. Transient equilibrium: daughter T½ < parent T½, ratio reaches constant value; secular equilibrium: daughter T½ ≪ parent T½, daughter activity = parent activity.
Inputs
- N0 Atoms
- Reference formula or conversion factor shown for context.
- T Half 1 Yr
- Reference formula or conversion factor shown for context.
- T Half 2 Yr
- Reference formula or conversion factor shown for context.
- T Yr
- Duration of the process. Make sure units match the rate inputs (seconds, minutes, or hours).
Results
- parent atoms N₁(t)
- The value at the specified point or condition.
- daughter atoms N₂(t)
- The value at the specified point or condition.
- parent activity A₁ (decays/yr)
- Rate of radioactive decay events per second (becquerels or curies). Decreases exponentially with time.
- daughter activity A₂ (decays/yr)
- Rate of radioactive decay events per second (becquerels or curies). Decreases exponentially with time.
- N₂ = N₀λ₁/(λ₂-λ₁)(e^{-λ₁t}-e^{-λ₂t})
- Sample size or count used in the calculation.
- secular equilibrium
- Reference formula or conversion factor shown for context.
daughter decay initial parent atoms