halflives
/ˈhæfˌlaɪvz/
noun
- The time it takes for half of the atoms in a radioactive substance to decay, or for half of a substance to be broken down or removed from a system.
- The halflives of different radioactive elements can range from fractions of a second to billions of years.
- The halflives of some medical tracers are very short, so they must be used quickly after production.
- Scientists use the halflives of isotopes to date ancient fossils and rocks.
- The time it takes for the concentration or effect of a drug or other substance in the body to be reduced by half.
- The halflives of some antidepressants are long, so they stay in your system for days after you stop taking them.
- The halflives of many common painkillers are only a few hours, which is why you need to take them regularly.
- Doctors consider the halflives of medications when deciding how often a patient should take a dose.
- The time it takes for something (like a trend, skill, or piece of knowledge) to lose half of its value, relevance, or effectiveness.
- Some educators worry about the halflives of information taught in schools, as facts can become outdated quickly.
- The halflives of viral internet memes are often just a few days before people forget about them.
- In the tech industry, the halflives of programming skills are getting shorter as new languages appear every year.