The half-life period and the mean life period of a radioactive element are denoted respectively by Th and Tm. ThenTh=TmTh>TmTh<TmTh≥Tm
Question
The half-life period and the mean life period of a radioactive element are denoted respectively by Th and Tm. Then
- Th = Tm
- Th > Tm
- Th < Tm
- Th ≥ Tm
Solution
To address the question regarding the relationship between the half-life period () and the mean life period () of a radioactive element, let’s analyze the concepts and mathematical relationships involved.
Explanation of Terms
- Half-Life (): This is the time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay.
- Mean Life (): This is the average lifetime of a particle before it decays; it's generally calculated as the expected value of the lifetime of a particle.
Relevant Concepts
The relationship between half-life and mean life is mathematically defined. For a radioactive decay process, the mean life () is given by the formula:
where is the natural logarithm of 2, which approximately equals 0.693.
Analysis of The Relationship
-
Substituting the Relationship: From the equation , we can infer that:
-
Comparison: Since , it follows that:
This means that the half-life () of a radioactive substance is always less than its mean life ().
Verification and Summary
From the derived relationship, we conclude that half-life is always shorter than mean life for any radioactive substance. Thus, we can summarize the relationship as:
Final Answer
Based on these calculations and analyses, the correct relationship is:
This implies that the half-life period is less than the mean life period.
Similar Questions
The half-life of a radioactive element which has only 1 of its original mass leftafter elapsed of 60 days is:A. 30 days ⃝ B. 20 days ⃝C. 15 days ⃝ D. 12 days
What is the half-life of a 12 g sample of radioisotope that decayed to 6 g in 28 years?A.7 yearsB.28 yearsC.56 yearsD.14 years
You have 1,312 grams of a radioactive kind of lanthanum. If its half-life is 93 minutes, how much will be left after 279 minutes?
How much of a radioactive kind of chromium will be left after 4 months if you start with 6,080 grams and the half-life is 1 month?
The half-life of cesium-137 is 30 years. How many percent of the atoms of this isotope decay in 240 years?
Upgrade your grade with Knowee
Get personalized homework help. Review tough concepts in more detail, or go deeper into your topic by exploring other relevant questions.