Moderate

Radioactive decay obeys which one of the following law ?

Correct answer: A. N=Noe-λt

  • A. N=Noe-λt
  • B. N=Noeλt
  • C. N=Noe-λt/2
  • D. No=N(1+eλt)

Explanation

Radioactive decay is exponential because the probability of decay per unit time is constant, giving N = N0e^-λt, where N and N0 are numbers of nuclei and λ has unit s^-1. The likely mistake is N = N0eλt, which describes exponential growth rather than the decrease in undecayed nuclei.

Last updated

About Radioactive Decay

Radioactive decay is the spontaneous transformation of unstable nuclei, described by decay constant, activity, half life and the exponential decay law. Work includes alpha, beta and gamma emissions, decay equations and remaining nuclei, with half life distinguished from the time required for complete decay.

Practise Nuclear Physics

1,254 free Nuclear Physics MCQs from Physics, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.

Exams that ask Physics questions like this

Physics is on 13 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.

Related questions