What is meant by random nature of radioactive decay of a substance?
Correct answer: B. Probability of decay of every unstable nucleus is constant.
- A. We cannot control the decay rate.
- B. Probability of decay of every unstable nucleus is constant.
- C. We can locate every next decaying nuclei.
- D. We can speed up the decay process.
Explanation
Radioactive decay is random because each unstable nucleus has the same constant probability of decaying in a given time, so we can predict what fraction of a sample will decay but not which nucleus is next. It is true that we cannot control the rate, but that describes spontaneity rather than randomness.
This question appeared on the UHS MDCAT 2026 paper, which you can sit online with every answer explained.
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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.
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