Physics · Nuclear Physics
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Decay constant ‘λ’ is given as:
- A
λ = ln(2)/T1/2
- B
λ = N/t
- C
λ = dN/dt
- D
λ = A/N
The decay constant (λ) is a measure of the probability of decay of a single atom over a unit of time, often expressed as λ = ln(2)/T1/2, where T1/2 is the half-life of the material. This indicates how quickly a substance will decay. Option A provides this correct relationship. Options B, C, and D incorrectly relate the decay constant with other aspects of decay, such as the number of atoms, change in number, or activity, which do not directly define the decay constant itself.
Decay constant (λ) is defined as λ = ln(2)/T1/2, where T1/2 is the half-life of the substance.
This formula incorrectly represents the decay constant as the number of atoms divided by time, which does not conform to the definition of decay constant.
This formula suggests the rate of change of the number of atoms over time, which is related to decay rate, not the decay constant itself.
While this formula represents the activity per number of atoms, it doesn’t align with the standard definition of decay constant.
Tagged under Physics · Nuclear Physics · 2010