MadSci Network: Physics
Query:

Subject: Does radioactive decay cease at 0 Kelvin?

Date: Tue May 19 17:37:01 1998
Posted by Steve Armin
Grade level: 10-12
School: Palmyra-Eagle High School
City: Palmyra State/Province: WI
Country: USA
Area of science: Physics
ID: 895617421.Ph
Message:

I teach Physiccal science and got one of the best questions I've heard
in ages from one of my brighter students today. We're on radioactivity
and after introducing them to it, I stated that the decay continues 
at a rate unchanged regardless of wether or not the element is 
combined chemically with another one, temperature, etc... One of my 
students then asked, "If 0 Kelvin is considered the temperature at 
which all molecular motion stops, does the decay continue? In theory, 
I guess it would but yet my understanding of radioactive decay is that 
it continues regardless of physical or chemical conditions.


Re: Does radioactive decay cease at 0 Kelvin?

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