For a selected atom in a sample of a radioactively decaying isotope, the probability that it will decay during a time interval of a specified length is

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The probability of decay for a given atom is independent of when the time interval starts relative to the current time. This is because radioactive decay is a random and spontaneous process that is not affected by external factors such as the current time or the age of the atom. However, the probability of decay does depend on the half-life of the isotope, which is a characteristic property of the isotope and determines how quickly it decays.

For a Selected Atom in a Sample of a Radioactively