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Radioactive Decay Law, Half Life & Decay Constant Video Lecture | Modern Physics for IIT JAM

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FAQs on Radioactive Decay Law, Half Life & Decay Constant Video Lecture - Modern Physics for IIT JAM

1. What is the radioactive decay law?
Ans. The radioactive decay law states that the rate of decay of a radioactive substance is directly proportional to the amount of substance present. Mathematically, it can be expressed as N = N0 * e^(-λt), where N is the remaining amount of substance at time t, N0 is the initial amount of substance, λ is the decay constant, and e is the base of natural logarithms.
2. What is half-life in radioactive decay?
Ans. Half-life in radioactive decay is the time it takes for half of the radioactive substance to decay. It is a characteristic property of each radioactive isotope and can be used to determine the rate of decay. The formula for calculating the half-life is given by t(1/2) = ln(2)/λ, where t(1/2) is the half-life and λ is the decay constant.
3. How does the decay constant relate to the half-life?
Ans. The decay constant (λ) and the half-life (t(1/2)) are related by the equation λ = ln(2)/t(1/2). The decay constant represents the probability of decay per unit time, while the half-life represents the time it takes for half of the radioactive substance to decay. The smaller the decay constant, the longer the half-life.
4. Can the decay constant change over time?
Ans. No, the decay constant is a constant value for a specific radioactive isotope and does not change over time. It is a characteristic property of the isotope and remains constant regardless of the amount of substance present or the age of the sample.
5. How is the radioactive decay law used in practical applications?
Ans. The radioactive decay law is used in various practical applications such as radiometric dating, nuclear medicine, and radiation therapy. By measuring the amount of a radioactive isotope present in a sample and knowing its decay constant, scientists can determine the age of objects, diagnose medical conditions, and treat certain diseases like cancer.
52 videos|44 docs|15 tests
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