The mean lives of a radioactive substance are 1620 years and 405 years...
The decay constant λ is the reciprocal of the mean life τ
Thus,
and
∴ Total decay constant, λ = λ
α + λ
βor
We know that
N = N
0e
–λtWhen
part of the sample has disintegrated, N = N
0/4
∴
or e
λt = 4
Taking logarithm of both sides, we get
or
= 2×324 × 0.693 = 449 year
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The mean lives of a radioactive substance are 1620 years and 405 years...
Two different isotopes. This means that if we were to take a large number of atoms of each isotope and observe their decay, the average time it would take for half of the atoms to decay (also known as the half-life) would be 1620 years for one isotope and 405 years for the other.
For example, if we start with 1000 atoms of the 1620-year isotope, after 1620 years we would expect roughly half of them (500) to have decayed, leaving 500 still remaining. After another 1620 years, half of those remaining 500 (250) would have decayed, leaving 250 still remaining, and so on. Similarly, if we start with 1000 atoms of the 405-year isotope, after 405 years we would expect roughly half of them (500) to have decayed, leaving 500 still remaining. After another 405 years, half of those remaining 500 (250) would have decayed, leaving 250 still remaining, and so on.