AIPMT MAIN 2008 Physics Radioactive Decay MCQ Question
Two radioactive materials X₁ and X₂ have decay constants 5λ and λ respectively. If initially they have the same number of nuclei, then the ratio of the number of nuclei of X₁ to that of X₂ will be 1/e after a time
e/λ
λ
1/2λ
1/4λ
Correct Answer
Detailed Explanation
The time required for the ratio of the number of nuclei of X₁ to X₂ to become 1/e is given by t = 1/4λ. This is derived from the decay equation N₁/N₂ = e⁻⁵λt / e⁻λt = 1/e.
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