If you have a radioactive isotope and it is decaying. Why does it take a certain amount of time to decay. Why doesn't it all just decay immediately. I'm looking for ideas, insights, whatever...I don't care if its right or wrong. I don't want a page long answer about nuclear physics...I already know all that. I want to know why it doesn't all decay immediately. So far I've gotten answers that involve: equilibrium, chaos, entropy, and electrons...but I'm looking for other ideas...I don't really need an answer, my homework is actually to ponder the question, but its really bugging me cuz I wanna figure it out:confused: . Thanks everyone