Difference between revisions of "Exponential decay"
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where <math>A_0</math> is the value at time <math>t_0</math> and <math>\tau</math> expresses the rate of exponential decay. The quantity reaches one-half of its original value after a time interval equal to <math>\tau</math> ln 2, which is called its [[half-life]]. | where <math>A_0</math> is the value at time <math>t_0</math> and <math>\tau</math> expresses the rate of exponential decay. The quantity reaches one-half of its original value after a time interval equal to <math>\tau</math> ln 2, which is called its [[half-life]]. | ||
| − | + | ==Examples== | |
| + | Examples of exponential decay include the [[radioactive decay]] of [[radioisotope]]s, the [[attenuation]] of [[sound]] or [[light]] through an [[absorber]], and the decay of the [[magnetic field]]s of the [[planet]]s.<ref>[http://www.creationresearch.org/crsq/articles/21/21_3/21_3.html The Creation of Planetary Magnetic Fields], by [[Russell Humphreys]], ''[[Creation Research Society Quarterly]],'' December 1984</ref> | ||
| + | ==See also== | ||
| + | *[[Exponential growth]] | ||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | <references/> | ||
[[Category:Physics]] | [[Category:Physics]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:38, May 2, 2011
Exponential decay is the decay of a physical property whose value goes as
where is the value at time and expresses the rate of exponential decay. The quantity reaches one-half of its original value after a time interval equal to ln 2, which is called its half-life.
Examples
Examples of exponential decay include the radioactive decay of radioisotopes, the attenuation of sound or light through an absorber, and the decay of the magnetic fields of the planets.[1]