Question detail
How can the half-life of a radioactive isotope be estimated from a large sample?
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. By measuring the total mass of the sample
- B. By observing the decay of a single nucleus
- C. By measuring the count rate over time
- D. By calculating the initial activity only
Answer
The correct answer is C: By measuring the count rate over time.
Explanation
The correct answer is C: By measuring the count rate over time. This supports the learning objective "Explain why the half-life of a radioactive isotope can be estimated from a large sample." 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: By measuring the total mass of the sample; By observing the decay of a single nucleus; By calculating the initial activity only.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Half-Life Estimation
Students often think that the half-life of a radioactive isotope can be determined from a single measurement of activity rather than from a large sample over time.
Emphasize that half-life estimation requires multiple measurements to observe the decay pattern, allowing for a more accurate average half-life calculation.
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