The half-life of a radioactive source is 2.3 days. Its decay constant per day will be:

Correct answer: C. 0.3

  • A. 0.1
  • B. 0.2
  • C. 0.3
  • D. 2.3

Explanation

T1/2 = 0.693/λ.Where T1/2= half life and λ= decay constant When half life= 2.3 daysSo λ = 0.693/T1/2= 0.693/2.3=0.30 per day

This question appeared on the ETEA MDCAT 2006 paper, which you can sit online with every answer explained.

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About Half-life and Rate of Decay

Half-life is the time required for half the unstable nuclei in a sample to decay, and it remains constant for a particular radioactive nuclide. Questions use the exponential decay law, decay constant, activity, remaining quantity and mean life. Radioactive decay is random for individual nuclei but predictable for large samples.

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