physics
NUCLEAR DECAY
Interactive radioactive decay simulation. Watch atoms decay in real-time, visualize half-lives, decay chains, and carbon dating.
Atom Grid Visualization
Decay Curve & Activity
Simulation Controls
Atoms:
300
Speed:
100×
Carbon-14 Dating
Estimate the age of an artifact based on remaining C-14.
Live Statistics
Atoms Remaining
300
Atoms Decayed
0
Fraction Remaining
1.00
Half-Lives Elapsed
0.00
Activity (Bq)
0
Time Elapsed
0 s
Daughter Atoms
0
Estimated Age
—
Current Isotope Info
Name: Carbon-14
Half-Life: 5,730 years
Decay Type: β⁻
Daughter: Nitrogen-14
λ = 1.21e-4 yr⁻¹
How It Works
Left Panel: Glowing green atoms decay randomly. Each decays at rate λ. Flash when decaying, then turn gray.
Right Panel: Real-time decay curve (dots) vs theoretical (line). Shows N(t) = N₀e^(−λt).
Activity: Rate of decay in Becquerels. A(t) = λN(t).
Half-Life: Time for 50% of atoms to decay. Mark on graph with vertical lines.