Radioactive decay follows first order kinetics and the rate constant is often termed as decay constant. Certain radioactive substances may undero sequential decays in order to convert intoa stable nucleus. The series comprisingall such elements is termed asradioactive disintegration series. A radioactive series is formed such that after eachalphadecay there are two consecutive beta decay and the cycle repeats. How many different elements this series can have if there are 12 members in the series ?

Radioactive decay follows first order kinetics and the rate constant i

1.	Radioactive decay follows first order kinetics and the rate constant is often termed as decay constant. Certain radioactive substances may undero sequential decays in order to convert intoa stable nucleus. The series comprisingall such elements is termed asradioactive disintegration series. A radioactive series is formed such that after eachalphadecay there are two consecutive beta decay and the cycle repeats. How many different elements this series can have if there are 12 members in the series ?
Answer» 12 4 3 6 Solution :After a very long time `: lambda_(1)N_(A)=lambda_(2)N_(B)` `(N_(A))/(N_(B))=(lambda_(1))/(lambda_(2))=(4 xx 10^(-2))/(16 xx10^(-5))=(1)/(4)=10^(-7)=2.5 xx 10^(-8) `