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The half-life of 131I is 8 days. Given a sample of 131I at time t = 0, we can assert that
  • a)
    no nucleus will decay before t = 4 days
  • b)
    no nucleus will decay before t = 8 days
  • c)
    all nuclei will decay before t = 16 days
  • d)
    a given nucleus may decay at any time after t = 0
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
The half-life of 131I is 8 days. Given a sample of 131I at time t = 0,...
The result follows from the formula based on laws of radioactive decay N = N0e–λt The nucleus start decaying after time t = 0
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Most Upvoted Answer
The half-life of 131I is 8 days. Given a sample of 131I at time t = 0,...
Explanation:

The half-life of a radioactive substance is the time it takes for half of the nuclei in a sample to decay. In the case of 131I, the half-life is 8 days. This means that after 8 days, half of the 131I nuclei in the sample will have decayed, and after another 8 days, half of the remaining nuclei will have decayed, and so on.

Option A: No nucleus will decay before t = 4 days.
- This statement is incorrect because the half-life of 131I is 8 days, so it is possible for some nuclei to decay before 4 days.

Option B: No nucleus will decay before t = 8 days.
- This statement is incorrect because the half-life of 131I is 8 days, and after 8 days, half of the nuclei will have decayed.

Option C: All nuclei will decay before t = 16 days.
- This statement is incorrect because the half-life of 131I is 8 days, and it will take multiple half-lives for all the nuclei to decay. After 16 days, only three half-lives have passed, so there will still be some nuclei remaining.

Option D: A given nucleus may decay at any time after t = 0.
- This statement is correct because radioactive decay is a random process. While the half-life gives an average time for decay, any given nucleus may decay at any time after t = 0. Some nuclei may decay early, while others may decay later.

Thus, option D is the correct answer as it correctly describes the nature of radioactive decay and the behavior of individual nuclei in a sample of 131I.
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The half-life of 131I is 8 days. Given a sample of 131I at time t = 0, we can assert thata)no nucleus will decay before t = 4 daysb)no nucleus will decay before t = 8 daysc)all nuclei will decay before t = 16 daysd)a given nucleus may decay at any time after t = 0Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
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The half-life of 131I is 8 days. Given a sample of 131I at time t = 0, we can assert thata)no nucleus will decay before t = 4 daysb)no nucleus will decay before t = 8 daysc)all nuclei will decay before t = 16 daysd)a given nucleus may decay at any time after t = 0Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for JEE 2025 is part of JEE preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the JEE exam syllabus. Information about The half-life of 131I is 8 days. Given a sample of 131I at time t = 0, we can assert thata)no nucleus will decay before t = 4 daysb)no nucleus will decay before t = 8 daysc)all nuclei will decay before t = 16 daysd)a given nucleus may decay at any time after t = 0Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for JEE 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for The half-life of 131I is 8 days. Given a sample of 131I at time t = 0, we can assert thata)no nucleus will decay before t = 4 daysb)no nucleus will decay before t = 8 daysc)all nuclei will decay before t = 16 daysd)a given nucleus may decay at any time after t = 0Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
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