Exponential decay describes fading, cooling, discharge, depreciation…
y(t)=A·e^{-kt}
Interactive Exponential Decay Lab
Explore how the parameters A (initial value) and k (decay rate) shape the curve y(t) = A · e−k t.
80
Starts at y(0)=A
0.35
Higher k → faster drop
30
How far we plot along time
10
Shows y(t) at a chosen time
Half-life (t½)
—
Time to reach A/2
y(T)
—
Value at the horizon
y(t marker)
—
Value at chosen t
% remaining at T
—
Relative to A
Teaching note: What does “half-life” mean?
Half-life is the time it takes the curve to drop to half its starting value. When k = 0, the curve does not decay at all (half-life is infinite).