And Where the Formula Comes from
Hi,
Just for the record. The formulae discussed are based on the hypothesis that the decay is exponential, which, less 'jargonly' amounts to our assuming this:
That the rate of decay is proportional to the amount of substance that has so far not decayed.
Once we are clear on this, the formula can be derived by elementary techniques for solving differential equations.
Lastly, let the record show that this treatment (first order kinetics) is only an approximation. As Einstein had it 'In so far as the equations of physics refer to reality, they are not exact; and in so far as they are exact, they do not refer to reality' :wave:
Tataa!