A radioactive nucleus can decay by two different processes. Half-life for the first process is 3.0 hours while it is 4.5 hours for the second process. The effective half-life of the nucleus will be :
- (A)3.75 hours
- (B)0.56 hours
- (C)0.26 hours
- (D)1.80 hours✓ Correct
Answer: (D)
Solution
When a nucleus can decay by two independent processes, the effective decay constant is the sum of individual decay constants: . Since , we have . Therefore, hours.
JEE Main · 2022 · 26 Jun 2022 · Shift 2 · Single correct option