The activity of a radioactive substance depends on

JAMB 1980

The activity of a radioactive substance depends on

A. temperature and purity

B. temperature and age

C. purity and age

D. age, purity and temperature

E. none of the above

Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation

Physical factors like temperature and pressure does not have direct influence on radioactivity, this is because radioactivity involves sub-atomic decay which most times involves the reaction of the nucleus, unlike chemical reactions which involves the exchange or share of external electrons.

Option B is correct because the purity of a substance can influence the rate of nuclear decay, also, the age of this substance can also influence the current rate of decay.

The purity of a substance can influence is rate of nuclear decay, the purer a substance, the clearer the rate of nuclear decay.

As the age of a radioactive substance increases, its nuclear decay rate reduces in order to maintain a constant half-life.

Other options are wrong because they contain temperature, which is an external factors.

Explain your answer in the comment box below and let’s have a discussion so as to have a great understanding of this question!

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About Teezab 1349 Articles
His Name is Tiamiyu Abdulbazeet Olawale. He is a student at the University of Ilorin studying Electrical and Electronics Engineering. He likes to give the latest updates about Nigeria and international institutions as he aims at helping people to lay their hands on the right information.

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