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Period of decay, if ..... (4-4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

half-life

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'period' is the definition.
(I know that half life is a type of period)

'decay if' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'if' is within the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'of' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for half-life that I've seen before include "Measure of radioactive decay rate" , "Time of isotope decay" , "Measure of persistent radioactivity" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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