Tritium Decay

Tritium (3H, T) is a radioactive hydrogen isotope and a key component in nuclear fusion. It is unstable and emits radiation due to its unstable nucleus. Tritium undergoes beta decay, where a neutron is converted into a proton, emitting a beta particle (electron) and an antineutrino, ultimately transforming into helium-3 (3He), a stable isotope.

Half-Life of Tritium

Tritium has a half-life of about 12.32 years, meaning that every 12.32 years, half of the tritium amount decays into helium-3. Understanding half-life is crucial for comprehending radioactive decay, impacting fields like radiometric dating, nuclear medicine, and nuclear reactor design.

Calculation for 5 Grams Remaining

• Initial Quantity: 10 grams of tritium.

• Desired Quantity: 5 grams remaining.

• Number of Half-Lives: It takes one half-life (12.32 years) to reduce 10 grams to 5 grams.

Time Calculation

Therefore, it will take approximately 12.32 years for tritium to decay from 10 grams to 5 grams. This highlights the importance of half-life in managing radioactive substances in research and practical applications.