Question detail
Why is it impossible to predict when an individual unstable nucleus will decay?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Atoms and nuclear radiation
Question
- A. Because decay is a random process
- B. Because all nuclei decay at the same time
- C. Because half-lives are always the same
- D. Because external factors influence decay
Answer
The correct answer is A: Because decay is a random process.
Explanation
The correct answer is A: Because decay is a random process. This supports the learning objective "Define half-life as the time taken for the count rate or activity from a source to fall to half its initial value." in Half-lives and the random nature of radioactive decay because it uses the correct atomic and nuclear radiation relationship for Atoms and nuclear radiation. The other options are less suitable because they do not match the required Half-lives and the random nature of radioactive decay idea: Because all nuclei decay at the same time; Because half-lives are always the same; Because external factors influence decay.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Half-Life Definition
Students often confuse half-life with the total time it takes for a radioactive substance to decay completely, rather than understanding it as the time taken for the count rate or activity to fall to half its initial value.
To fix this, students should focus on the definition of half-life as a specific time interval where only half of the original amount remains, rather than the total decay time.
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