decay constant

noun

In a radioactive material, an atom's probability, per unit time, of decaying; it is related to half-life by the equation t_1/2=(ln 2)/λ, where t_1/2 is the half-life, and λ is the decay constant.

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Meanings

noundecay constant (plural decay constants)

plural decay constants

  1. In a radioactive material, an atom's probability, per unit time, of decaying; it is related to half-life by the equation t_1/2=(ln 2)/λ, where t_1/2 is the half-life, and λ is the decay constant.
Cite this entry
APA

decay constant. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/decay%20constant

MLA

“decay constant.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/decay%20constant. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “decay constant,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/decay%20constant.

Source: decay constant on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.