A radioactive nucleus can decay by two different processes. Half-life for the first process is 3.0 hours while it is 4.5 hours for the second process. The effective half-life of the nucleus will be:
- 3.75 hours
- 0.56 hours
- 0.26 hours
- 1.80 hours
The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
The correct answer is (D): 1.80 hours
Explanation:
\(\frac{dA }{dt }\)- (-λ1A) + ( -λ2A)
⇒ \(\frac{dA }{dt }\) = - ( λ1 + λ2 )A
⇒ λeff = λ1 + λ2
⇒ \(\frac{ln2}{(t_{1/2})eff }\) = \(\frac{ln2}{(t_{1/2})_1}\) + \(\frac{ln2}{(t_{1/2})_2}\)
⇒ \(( t_{1/2} )\)eff =\(\frac{ 4.5 × 3 }{7.5}\) hours
= 1.8 hours
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Concepts Used:
Nuclei
In the year 1911, Rutherford discovered the atomic nucleus along with his associates. It is already known that every atom is manufactured of positive charge and mass in the form of a nucleus that is concentrated at the center of the atom. More than 99.9% of the mass of an atom is located in the nucleus. Additionally, the size of the atom is of the order of 10-10 m and that of the nucleus is of the order of 10-15 m.
Read More: Nuclei
Following are the terms related to nucleus:
- Atomic Number
- Mass Number
- Nuclear Size
- Nuclear Density
- Atomic Mass Unit