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Radioactive decay, nuclear equations, binding energy, mass-energy equivalence, and a comprehensive isotope database.
Calculate the remaining amount of a radioactive substance after a given time using N(t) = N₀ × (1/2)t/t½
Key concepts in nuclear chemistry and radioactivity
Unstable nuclei emit radiation to reach a more stable state. The rate follows first-order kinetics: N(t) = N₀e^(-λt).
Emission of a helium-4 nucleus (⁴₂He). Reduces mass number by 4 and atomic number by 2. Common in heavy nuclei (Z > 82).
β⁻: neutron converts to proton + electron + antineutrino. β⁺: proton converts to neutron + positron + neutrino.
Energy required to disassemble a nucleus. Fe-56 has the highest BE per nucleon (≈8.79 MeV), making it the most stable nucleus.
Time for half the radioactive atoms to decay. Ranges from nanoseconds (Po-214) to billions of years (U-238).
Mass and energy are equivalent. The mass defect in nuclear reactions converts to enormous energy: 1 amu = 931.494 MeV.
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