. How many of the following statements regarding the decay of radioactive nuclides are true?
a. During a given period of time, a radioactive nucleus with a short half-life is much more likely to decay than one with a long half-life.
b. As a nuclide decays, its mass decreases.
c. Fusion is a natural decay process.
d. Decay continues until a stable nuclide is formed.
Interpretation:
The correct statements should be determined and explained.
Concept Introduction:
Nuclear fission reaction is the breaking of atom with heavy masses to nuclide with lower mass along with the emition of small particle may be alpha, beta or gamma particle.
Nuclear fusion reaction is the combining of atom with lighter masses to bigger nuclide with higher mass.
The decaying of an atom takes place by three type of decay such as alpha decay, beta decay, gama decay.
In alpha decay, an alpha particle with mass 4m and electron 2e removed from nuclide while in beta decay two type of decay are possible beta (+) and beta (-). In gamma decay, nuclide will remain same to the original one.
Reason for correct option:
(a)
Higher the half-life, more the molecule take time to reduce to half of its concentration and is more stable that’s why it is taking more time to reduce.
Thus, nuclide having shorter half life decays faster in comparison to nuclide with long half life.
(c)
Nuclear fusion reaction is the combining of atom with lighter masses to produce bigger nuclide with higher mass.
Fusion of hydrogen to produce helium takes place in sun.
Thus, it occurs naturally.
(d)
The decay of nuclide takes place till the production of stable nuclide such as lead with mass number 206.
The decay of uranium-238 to lead-206 as follows:
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