What does the lambda symbol mean in half-life?
the decay constant
In nuclear physics, the Lambda is used in the half-life equation to represent the decay constant (i.e. the rate of radioactive decay in an element).
What does this symbol represent λ?
Lambda (uppercase/lowercase Λ λ) is a letter of the Greek alphabet. It is used to represent the “l” sound in Ancient and Modern Greek.
How do you find lambda in half-life?
This shows that the population decays exponentially at a rate that depends on the decay constant. The time required for half of the original population of radioactive atoms to decay is called the half-life. The relationship between the half-life, T1/2, and the decay constant is given by T1/2 = 0.693/λ.
What is the symbol of half-life?
Half-life (symbol t1⁄2) is the time required for a quantity to reduce to half of its initial value. The term is commonly used in nuclear physics to describe how quickly unstable atoms undergo radioactive decay or how long stable atoms survive.
Why does the HEV suit have a lambda?
The symbol on Gordon’s HEV suit is the lower case Greek letter Lambda, λ. This symbol is used by scientists to denote the decay constant of radioactive elements (related to the half-life of an element).
Why does the Spartan Shield have a lambda on it?
The letter lambda (Λ), standing for Laconia or Lacedaemon, which was painted on the Spartans’ shields, was first adopted in 420s BC and quickly became a widely known Spartan symbol. This saying implied that they should return only in victory, a controlled retreat, or dead, with their body carried on the shield.
What letter does lambda represent?
wavelength
Lambda, the 11th letter of the Greek alphabet, is the symbol for wavelength. In optical fiber networking, the word lambda is used to refer to an individual optical wavelength.
Why does half-life use lambda?
The Lambda symbol is used in the half-life equation to represent the decay constant (i.e. the rate of radioactive decay in an element). The Lambda logo is also used to denote the wavelength of a sound or light emission. The Lambda logo can be found as an Easter egg in both Left 4 Dead games.
Why is the game called half-life?
The name Half-Life was chosen because it was evocative of the theme, not clichéd, and had a corresponding visual symbol: the Greek letter λ (lower-case lambda), which represents the decay constant in the half-life equation.