Two radioactive isotopes, X and Y

PHYSICS · Subjective · A Level · Physics · Nuclear physics · Nuclear physics

Problem

Two radioactive isotopes, X and Y, have half-lives of 3.0 d3.0\,\text{d} and 30 d30\,\text{d}, respectively. Each sample initially contains the same number of undecayed nuclei. (a) Identify which isotope has the larger decay constant. (b) State which sample will have the higher initial activity and justify your answer with a short calculation or reasoning.

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