/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Q9Q At t = 0 we begin to observe t... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

Att = 0we begin to observe two identical radioactive nuclei that have a half-life of. At t = 1min, one of the nuclei decays. Does that event increase or decrease the chance that the second nucleus will decay in the next, or is there no effect on the second nucleus? (Are the events cause and effect, or random?)

Short Answer

Expert verified

That event has no effect on the second nucleus.

Step by step solution

01

The given data

  1. At t = 0 two identical nuclei have half-life,T1/2=5min
  2. At t = 1 min one of them decays.
02

Determine the concept of decay  

In the given case, the two identical nuclei with the same half-life undergo the same decay change which means it has the same disintegration rate. It implies their initial and any instant decay conditions with their nuclei number are also the same.

03

Calculate the effect of decay of one particle on the other particle

In the given problem and the concept, we can clearly say that the decay process of two identical nuclei will remain same. But the given case that is effect of suppose the first nuclei A has no information about when the decay process of the second nuclei say B has started.

Consider a situation that A has already started decaying and now, we are observing the decay at the last min. In this situation, there is no information about the decay state of B. Thus, these events are random.

Hence, there is no effect on the second nuclei due to the decay process.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

What is the likely mass number of a spherical nucleus with a radius of 3.6 fm as measured by electron-scattering methods?

Question: Using a nuclidic chart, write the symbols for (a) all stable isotopes with Z = 60, (b) all radioactive nuclides with N = 60, and (c) all nuclides with A = 60.

Two radioactive materials that alpha decay,U238and T232h, and one that beta decaysK40, are sufficiently abundant in granite to contribute significantly to the heating of Earth through the decay energy produced. The alpha-decay isotopes give rise to decay chains that stop when stable lead isotopes are formed. The isotopeK40has single beta decay. (Assume this is the only possible decay of that isotope.) Here is the information:

In the table Qis the totalenergy released in the decay of one parent nucleus to the finalstable endpoint and fis the abundance of the isotope in kilograms per kilogram of granite;means parts per million. (a) Show that these materials produce energy as heat at the rate of1.0×10-8Wfor each kilogram of granite. (b) Assuming that there is2.7×1022kgof granite in a 20-km-thick spherical shell at the surface of Earth, estimate the power of this decay process over all of Earth. Compare this power with the total solar power intercepted by Earth,1.7×1017W1.

A 75 kgperson receives a whole-body radiation dose of2.4×10-4Gy, delivered by alpha particles for which thefactor is 12. Calculate (a) the absorbed energy in joules and the dose equivalent in (b) sieverts and (c) rem.

Consider a 238∪nucleus to be made up of an alpha particle (He4) and a residual nucleus (234Th). Plot the electrostatic potential energy U(r), where r is the distance between these particles. Cover the approximate range10 fm < r < 100 fm and compare your plot with that of Fig. 42-10.

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.