Which statements best describe half-lives of radioactive isotopes? Check all that apply.

Question

The half-life varies depending on the isotope.
The half-life is the same for every isotope.
Half-lives are always only minutes long.
Half-lives range from fractions of a second to billions of years.
The half-life of a particular isotope is constant.
The half-life of a particular isotope changes constantly.

Answer 1

The statements that best describe half-lives of radioactive isotopes are:

1. The half-life varies depending on the isotope.
2. Half-lives range from fractions of a second to billions of years.
3. The half-life of a particular isotope is constant.

The other statements are not accurate. Specifically, the half-life is not the same for every isotope, and half-lives can last much longer than just minutes, not all are measured in such short times. Also, the half-life of a specific isotope does not change constantly; it is a fixed property of that isotope.