What does the term 'half-life' refer to?

The term 'half-life' specifically refers to the duration it takes for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay. This measurement is crucial in nuclear chemistry, as it helps in understanding the stability and decay rates of radioactive substances.

When a radioactive isotope decays, it transforms into a different element or isotope, and the half-life provides a predictable timeframe for this process. For instance, if a sample has a half-life of 10 years, after that period, only half of the original quantity of the radioactive atoms will remain; the other half has decayed into other forms. This characteristic allows scientists to calculate the age of materials, understand radioactive decay processes, and manage radioactive materials safely.

The other options do not accurately reflect the definition of half-life. While they may relate to decay processes in a broader sense, they do not capture the specific meaning of tackling half the quantity of radioactive atoms within a given timeframe.