26.6 - Spontaneous and Random Nature of Radioactive Decay Flashcards
1
Q
What does spontaneous mean?
A
Nuclei will decay independently
2
Q
What does random mean?
A
We cannot predict when a specific nucleus will decay
3
Q
What is nuclear decay independent of?
A
Temperature and pressure
4
Q
Why can we use statistical methods with nuclear decay?
A
Because there are usually a very large number of nuclei involved
5
Q
What does statistics show?
A
That the rate of decay at any instant will be proportional to the number left
6
Q
Express this mathematically:
A
-dN/dt = λN
7
Q
What is λ?
A
The decay constant
8
Q
What is the unit of activity?
A
The becquerel (Bq)
