decay constant

noun Physics.

the reciprocal of the decay time.

Origin of decay constant

First recorded in 1930–35

Also called decay rate, disintegration constant.

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decay constant in Medicine

decay constant

n.

The constant ratio for the number of atoms of a radionuclide that decay in a given period of time compared with the total number of atoms of the same kind present at the beginning of that period.disintegration constant radioactive constant