Question

Radioactive decay is a reaction of:
1. First order
2. Second order
3. Third order
4. Zero order

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : First order

Concept:

• Radioactivity: The phenomenon of spontaneous emission of radiations by heavy elements is called radioactivity.
  • In radioactive processes, particles or electromagnetic radiation are emitted from the nucleus.
  • The most common forms of radiation emitted have been traditionally classified as alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (γ) radiation.
• First-order kinetics: It occurs when a constant proportion of the drug is eliminated per unit time.
  • The rate of elimination is proportional to the amount of drug in the body.
  • The higher the concentration, the greater the amount of drug eliminated per unit time.

Explanation:

• Radioactive decay follows first-order kinetics as each individual radioactive atom has an equal probability of decaying at any given time and their surroundings do not have any effect on that probability.

Radioactive decay is a reaction to first-order Kinetics.

• In the year 1896, Henry Becquerel discovered this phenomenon.