Exponential decay

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-004237",
  "term": "Exponential decay",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "The decrease in a quantity where the rate of decrease is directly proportional to the current value of the quantity itself. In nuclear chemistry, this principle governs radioactive decay, describing how the number of unstable atomic nuclei in a sample diminishes over time as they transform into more stable forms. The process is mathematically modeled by the equation N(t) = N₀e^(-λt), where N(t) is the quantity at time t, N₀ is the initial quantity, and λ is the decay constant.",
  "subject": "Analytical Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "activity",
    "radionuclide"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1982, 54, 1533. 'Glossary of terms used in nuclear analytical chemistry (Provisional)' on page 1541 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac198254081533)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/exponential-decay/"
}