If a radionuclide has a half-life of one minute, how many atoms will remain from 100 original atoms after one minute?

Prepare for the Advanced Radon Measurement Service Provider Test. Study with detailed explanations, flashcards, and multiple-choice questions. Ensure success on your exam!

For a radionuclide, the half-life is the time it takes for half of a sample of radioactive atoms to decay. In this scenario, a radionuclide with a half-life of one minute means that after one minute, half of the original 100 atoms will have decayed.

Starting with 100 atoms, after one minute, half of those atoms (which equals 50 atoms) will remain. This principle is foundational in understanding radioactivity and decay processes, as it applies universally across all radionuclides.

Given that the half-life is a definitive measure of decay, it clearly indicates that after each half-life period, the number of remaining atoms is halved. Therefore, after one minute for this particular radionuclide, the calculations lead to the correct assessment that 50 atoms remain.

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