A sample of a radioactive isotope is described as having random and spontaneous decay. Explain what is meant by the decay being random.
A sample of a radioactive isotope is described as having random and spontaneous decay. Explain what is meant by the decay being spontaneous.
A radioactive isotope X has a half-life of $1.4\ \text{hours}$. A pure sample of isotope X starts with an activity of $3.6 \times 10^5\ \text{Bq}$. Determine the activity of isotope X in the sample after $2.0\ \text{hours}$.
The variation with time $t$ of the actual activity $A$ of the sample in (b) is shown in Fig. 12.1. The initial activity of isotope X in the sample is $3.6 \times 10^5\ \text{Bq}$. Use information from (b) to sketch, on the axes of Fig. 12.1, how the activity of a pure sample of isotope X varies with time $t$.
Suggest a reason for any difference between the actual activity of the sample in Fig. 12.1 and the curve you have drawn for the activity of isotope X.