A radioactive nucleus decays by two difference processes. The half life for the first process is 10 s and that for the second is 100 s. The effective half life of the nucleus is closes to:
- (A)6 sec.
- (B)9 sec.✓ Correct
- (C)12 sec.
- (D)55 sec.
Answer: (B)
Solution
When a nucleus can decay by two independent routes, the decay constants add, and since each constant is inversely proportional to its half-life, . This gives s, which is closest to s.
JEE Main · 2020 · 05 Sep 2020 · Shift 2 · Single correct option