Question

The variation of decay rate of two radioactive samples A and B with time is shown in Fig. 13.1. 

Which of the following statements are true? 

(a) Decay constant of A is greater than that of B, hence A always decays faster than B. 

(b) Decay constant of B is greater than that of A but its decay rate is always smaller than that of A. 

(c) Decay constant of A is greater than that of B but it does not always decay faster than B. 

(d) Decay constant of B is smaller than that of A but still its decay rate becomes equal to that of A at a later instant.

Answer 1

(c), (d)

(c) Decay constant of A is greater than that of B but it does not always decay faster than B. 

(d) Decay constant of B is smaller than that of A but still its decay rate becomes equal to that of A at a later instant.