Radioactive Decay

[Milky]

How come radioactive decay is not influenced by changes in temperature or the action of strong oxidizers/reducers?

Thanks.

[antimatter]

Why would it be?

[swansont]

Let's restate the question to say nuclear decay. Does that help?

[YT2095]

although I Did read an article last year in New Scientist stating that Cold temperatures Accelerate nuclear decay making the Half-life shorter.

 

however, Not being an Expert in this field, I cannot comment as to it`s Validity.

[swansont]

although I Did read an article last year in New Scientist stating that Cold temperatures Accelerate nuclear decay making the Half-life shorter.

 

however, Not being an Expert in this field, I cannot comment as to it`s Validity.

 

That may be electron capture, which is lumped in with beta decay, but is actually an induced reaction rather than a decay. It has a weak dependence on environment, such as pressure and temperature. The temperature dependence is apparently a more recent find.

 

 

Radioactive Decay Speedup at T=5 K: Electron-Capture Decay Rate of 7Be Encapsulated in C60

Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 252501 (2007)

[J.C.MacSwell]

although I Did read an article last year in New Scientist stating that Cold temperatures Accelerate nuclear decay making the Half-life shorter.

 

however, Not being an Expert in this field, I cannot comment as to it`s Validity.

 

All other things being equal cold temperatures should speed the process up a slight but predictable amount, as per time dilation effects. (Two identical "twin" samples the warmer "twin" stays younger)