18. The half-life of uranium-238 is 1.41 x 1017 seconds. A sample contains 5.41 x 1016 nuclei. What is the decay constant for this decay? O 4.91 x 10 18 s-1 O 3.45 x 10-18 s1 7.66 x 10 18 s-1 O 5.61 x 10 18 s1
Radioactive decay
The emission of energy to produce ionizing radiation is known as radioactive decay. Alpha, beta particles, and gamma rays are examples of ionizing radiation that could be released. Radioactive decay happens in radionuclides, which are imbalanced atoms. This periodic table's elements come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Several of these kinds are stable like nitrogen-14, hydrogen-2, and potassium-40, whereas others are not like uranium-238. In nature, one of the most stable phases of an element is usually the most prevalent. Every element, meanwhile, has an unstable state. Unstable variants are radioactive and release ionizing radiation. Certain elements, including uranium, have no stable forms and are constantly radioactive. Radionuclides are elements that release ionizing radiation.
Artificial Radioactivity
The radioactivity can be simply referred to as particle emission from nuclei due to the nuclear instability. There are different types of radiation such as alpha, beta and gamma radiation. Along with these there are different types of decay as well.
The half-life of uranium-238 is 1.41 x 10^17 seconds. A sample contains 5.41 x 10^16 nuclei. What is the decay constant for this decay?
![**Physics Quiz Section**
**Question 18: Radioactive Decay Calculation**
The half-life of uranium-238 is 1.41 x 10^17 seconds. A sample contains 5.41 x 10^16 nuclei. What is the decay constant for this decay?
**Answer Choices:**
- A) 4.91 x 10^-18 s^-1
- B) 3.45 x 10^-18 s^-1
- C) 7.66 x 10^-18 s^-1
- D) 5.61 x 10^-18 s^-1
To solve for the decay constant (λ), you can use the relationship between the half-life (T_1/2) and the decay constant, which is given by the formula:
\[ λ = \frac{\ln(2)}{T_{1/2}} \]
This relationship highlights the direct inverse proportionality between the half-life of a radioactive substance and its decay constant. A shorter half-life implies a larger decay constant, indicating rapid decay, and vice versa.](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2F37797b3e-93b1-4c2c-98d5-fb6f936a5e8e%2Fcaa98f17-7559-4202-9a88-4cd2ea145162%2Fbnqydc_processed.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
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