Half-life
What Half-life means in Physics GCSE, as defined for OCR.
Definitions of Half-life
Exam boards and our study guides word this term in slightly different ways. Learn the version your board uses.
Check what you remember
Read the wording for your board, then hide it and explain Half-life in your own words. Rough notes are fine. This is a self-check, with no mark or grade.
Reference: OCR
The time taken for the number of undecayed nuclei in a sample to halve, or for the count rate from the sample to fall to half its starting value.
The time for the activity of a sample to halve.
Topics that use Half-life
- Radioactive emissions (OCR GCSE)
- Uses and hazards (OCR GCSE)
Related terms
- Absorbing materials
- Alpha emission
- Beta emission
- chain reaction
- conservation of charge
- conservation of mass number
- contamination
- Conventional nuclear notation
Using Half-life in the exam
Check the command word and mark scheme for your exact question. After comparing your explanation with the reference, use the term in an answer on the linked topic. This practice does not predict an exam mark.
Practise Physics questions
Create a free account to answer exam-style questions on this topic and get feedback on your answers.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge