Chapter 20, Problem 65AP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The balanced equation for the tritium decay is to be written and its activity in the given amount of sample of water is to be determined.

Concept Introduction:

In a balanced radioactive decay,

${\displaystyle \sum \text{Reactant mass number = }{\displaystyle \sum \text{Product mass number}}}$

And,

${\displaystyle \sum \text{Reactant atomic number = }{\displaystyle \sum \text{Product atomic number}}}$

Nearly, all the radioactive decay is of the first order and its rate constant is given by the following expression:

$k\text{ = }\frac{0.693}{t_{1/2}}$

Here, $t_{1/2}$ is the half-life of the radioactive substance.

The rate of decay for a particular isotope is given by the rate law as follows:

$\text{Rate = kN}$

Here, $\text{k}$ is the rate constant for the radioactive decay and $\text{N}$ is the number of atoms in the sample.