1.

INTRODUCTION
(1)

(2)

After the discovery of radioactivity in uranium,

Piere curie & Madame curie discovered a
new radioactive element called radium. It is
106 times more radioactive than uranium.
Radium was extracted from pitch blende
(a kind of coal tar) for which curies were
honoured by nobel prize in 1903.

(3)

Definition : -The
self,
spontaneous,
disintegration (i.e. decay) of unstable
radioactive nucleis is known as radioactivity
& the nucleils exhibiting this phenomenon
are known as radioactive nuclelis.

(4)

Some example of radio active substance

(or elements) are :
Uranium, Radium, Thorium, Polonium,
Neptumium etc.

(5)

All elements having atomic number greater

than 83 are radio active element.

(6)

Lead (Z = 82) is the most stable element in

high atomic number elements thats why all
radio active elements emits radio active
radiation till they are converted into Lead.

(7)

Radioactivity is a nuclear event & not atomic.

Hence electronic configuration of atom dont
have any relationship with radio activity.

(8)

Decay processes are random. Here one

simply knows that in a radioactive element,
radioactivity is taking place or it is definite
that a certain no. of atoms will decay in a
given time interval but one never knows that
which particular radioactive nuclei will decay
when. It is just a matter of chance i.e.
probability which is explained by quantum
mechanics. It is statistical in nature.

(9)

92U

The phenomenon of radioactivity was

discovered by Henry Becquerel in uranium
salts. (1896)

This process is spontaneous i.e. it can neither

be started, stopped, accelerated nor retarded
by any physical (i.e. by changing temperature
pressure, force) or chemical change.

(10) In this phenomenon parent-daughter chain

continues. Original radio active element are
called parent element or nucleus but new
element is called Daughter element or
disintegrated nucleus.

238

(Parent)
90Th

234

+ 24
(Daughter)

90Th

234

91Pa234

(Parent)

(Daughter)

+
(Antinentrino)
-1

(11)

In this phenomenon, particles and -rays

are emitted. For a given nuclei at a particular
time emission of either or takes place,
never both at time.

(12)

rays are emitted in when an excited nuclei

makes transition to any lower or ground
energy state the form of photon.
238 * Th234
+ 24
92U
90

234
*90Th234
+ -ray
90Th
(higher
(lower energy nuclei)
energy nuclei)
(lower stability)
(higher stability)
excited nuclei and normal nuclei are known
as radioactive isomers.

(13) Due to emission of during radioactive

decay, mass of parent nuclei goes on
decreasing.
(14) Deflection of radioactive radiations was
measured by rutherford in electric field & it is
as below.

(-)ve
plate

-ray

(+)ve plate

or

Radioactive Source

56

(15) Defiection in magnetic field.

e t N = N0 e t ....... (1)
N0 =

then
(4)

eq. (1) is known as Ruther ford & soddys

exponential equation of radioactivity.
(5)
If t = then N = 0
Therefore, for a complete decay of a
radioactive nuclei, it takes infinite time.
(6) Half life (T 1/2)
Half life of a radioactive element is the time
or time interval is which 50% of radioactive
nuclei will disiintegrates.
(16) Remember : Proton is not emitted during
radioactive decay.

or when
From

2. LAWS OF RADIOACTIVE DISINTEGRATION

(1)

dN
N
dt
dN
or
= N
dt
is called decay constant.
If Ni = No of active nuclei at time t i.
Nf = No of active nuclei left at time t f.

=
(7)

(3)

Nf

Ni

dN
N =

n n NN

tf

dt

n 2

0 . 693

Physical sighificance of Half life.

If half life of a radio active nuclei is more then
in a given time interval probability of its
availability is also more. Half life of a element
does not depend on physical & chemical
circumstances.

N
1
=
.
N0
( 2) t / T
(8)

Graph between no. of active nuclei left & time

of decay
N0
N

ti

t
t t if

N = N0 e t

T1/2 =

Rate of decay =
(2)

N0
2

N0
= N0 e T1/ 2
2

If N = No. of active nuclei at time t

N dN = No. of active nuclei after time
interval of dt.
dN
dt
According to the Rutherford and Soddy law
for radio active decay, "At any instant the
rate of decay of radioactive atom is
proportional to the number of atoms present
at that instant " Rate of decay N

t = T 1/2 then N =

N0/2
N0/4

Nf
n N
i
Nf
Ni
If
&

= [tf ti]

= e

tf = t
ti = 0

t f t i

&

Nf = N
Ni = N 0

(9) Average life or mean life ()

(i) The time, for which a radioactive material
remains active, is defined as mean life of
that material.

57

Sum of lives of all nuclei' s

(ii) = Total no. of nuclei present =

t dN

N0

(iii) The average time taken in decaying by the

nuclei of an element is defined as its mean
life .
(iv) =

N
(vii) Fraction of active nuclei left = N
0
(probability of survival)
(viii) Fraction of decayed nuclei

N0 N
N
= 1 N = N
0
0

(Probability of decay)
(ix) When decay process is too slow
then N = N0 [et]
N = N0 [1 t]
N = [ N0] t + N0
On comparingy = m x + c

N
(v) n N = t
0

N
The magnitude of inverse of slope of n N & t
0
curve is known as mean life.
(vi) In N = N0 e t
If

t =

then N = N0 e1
=

N0
e

N0
= 2 . 718 = 0.3676 N0

N0
1
Therefore if = t =
then N =

0.37 N0
0.37 N0

(x) Half life, mean life & decay constant for a

particular nuclei always remains constant.
(xi) Decay constant () :
( ) dN

(i) =

Mean life of a radio active nuclei is equal to that

1
time is which no of nuclei left becomes either
e
times the original nuclei or approximately 37% of
the original nuclei.
or, Number of decayed nuclei in mean life

= N0 N = N 0

N0
e

1
= N0 1 0.63 N0
e

Mean life is equal to that time in which no. of

e 1
times
decayed nuclei becomes either
e

original nuclei or apporoximately 63% of original

nuclei.

dt
N

Rate of decay at a given instant

= No. of active nuclei at that instant

dN
(ii)

N
dt

= Probability of decay in unit time.

(iii) If = t1

then

N =

N0
= 0.3676
e

N0 0.37 N0
Decay constant is equal to inverage of that
time in which no. of active nuclei left becomes
1
either
times or approx 37% original
e
nuclei.
(iv) N = N0t
can be written in the form of mass as below
m = m 0et
58

When m = mass of radio active nuclei at

time t & m 0 = mass of radioactive nuclei at
time t = 0

m
m0 =

4. PAIR PRODUCTION & PAIR-ANNIHILATION

Collision of -ray photon by a nucleus &
production of electron positron pair is known as
pair production.

2t / T

(v) Decay constant is equal to inverse of the

time in which 63% of initial atoms (N 0) is
being decayed.
(vi) Unit :- (second)1 or (minute)1 or (year)1

3. ACTIVITY (A or R)
(1)
(2)

The rest mass of each of the electron & the

positron is 9.1 x 1031 kg. so, the rest mass
energy of each of them is
E0 = m 0c2= (9.1 1031) (3 108)2
= 8.2 10 14 Joule
= 0.51 MeV
Hence for pair-production, it is essential that the
energy of -photon must be at least 2 0.51
= 1.02 MeV.

Activity of any element shows instability of

the element at any time (t).
Activity is defined as rate of decay at given
instant.
A =

dN
= N
dt

A N
(3)

Original activity
A0 = N0

A
N
1
e t =
=
=
A0
N0
( 2) t / T

5.

FUNDAMENTAL

PARTICLES

&

THEIR

ANTIPARTICLES

(4)
(a)
(b)
(c)

Units of Activity
1 disintegration / sec = 1 becquerd (Bq)
1 curie = 3.7 1010 dps
1 Ruther ford = 106 dps

(5)

1 mille curie = 37 Rutherford

(6)

Specific Activity Activity per gram of a

substance is known as specific activity. The
specific activity for 1 gm of radium 226 is
1 curie.

The particles which are not constituted by any

other particles i.e., which have no structure, are
called fundamental particles
(1) Electron :It is the first fundamental particle which
was discovered by Thomson in 1897. It revolves
around the nucleus of an atom indifferent orbits.
Electron plays an important role in explaining the
physical and chemical properties of substances.
Its charge is 1.6 1019 coulomb and mass
is 9.1 1031 kg. Its symbol is e (or 1 0).
(2) Proton :It was discovered by Rutherford in 1919
in artificial nuclear disintegration. It has a positive
charge (+ 1.6 x 1019 coulomb) equal to the
electronic charge and its mass is (1.673 1027kg)
1836 times the electronic mass. In free state,
the proton is a stable particle. Its symbol is p +.
It is also written as 1H1 .
59

(3) Neutron :It was discovered by Chadwick in 1932.

It carries no charge. Its mass is 1839 times the
electronic mass (1.675 x 1027 kg). In free state
the neutron is unable (its mean life is about
17 minutes), but it constitutes a stable nucleus
along with proton. Its symbol is n or 0n1.
(4) Positron :It was also discovered in 1932 by
Anderson. Its charge and mass are same as
those of electron, the only difference being that
is positively-charged whereas the electron is
negatively-charged. Its symbol is e+ (or +1 0).
(5) Antiproton :It was discovered in 1955. Its
charged and mass are same as those of proton,
the only difference being that it is negatively
charged. Its symbol is p.
(6) Antineutron : It was discovered in 1956. It has
no charge and its mass is equal to the mass of
neutron. The only difference between neutron and
antineutron is that if they spin in the same
direction, their magnetic moment will be in
opposite directions. The symbol for antineutron
is n.
(7) Neutrino and Anti-neutrino : The existence of
these particles was predicted in 1930 by Pauli
while explaining the emission of -particles from
radio-active nuclei, but they were observed
experimentally in 1956. Their rest-mass and
charge are both zero but they have energy and
momentum. Both neutrino and anti-neutrino are
stable particles. The only difference between them
is that their spins are in opposite directions.
Their symbols are v and v respectively..
(8) Pi-mesons :The existence of these particles was
predicted by Yukawa in 1935 as originator of
exchange-forces between the nucleons, but they
were actually discovered in 1947 in cosmic rays.
Pi-mesons are of three types.
(i) Positive pi-meson : It is a positively charged
particle whose charge is equal to the electronic
charge and whose mass is 274 times the
electronic mass. It is an unstable particle. Its
mean life is of the order of 10 8 second. Its
symbol is +.
(ii) Negative pi-meson : It is a negatively
charged particle whose charge is equal to the
electronic charge and whose mass is 274 time
the electronic mass. It mean life is also of the
order of 108 second. Its symbol is .

(iii) Neutral pi-meson : This particle has no

charge. Its mass is nearly 264 times the
electronic mass. Its mean life is of the order of
1015 second. Its symbol is 0. On disintegration,
it forms two -photons:0 .
(9) Photon :These
are
the
bundles
of
electromagnetic energy and travel with the speed
of light. If the frequency of waves be , then the
energy of a photon is h and momentum is h/ c.
Its symbol is .
Name of
particle
Photon
Electron
Proton
Neutron
Neutrino
Charged
pi-meson
Uncharged
pi-meson

Mass
(in comparision Average life
Symbol Antiparticle
to mass of
(in second)
electron)

e-1
p+
n

( )
e+1
p
n

0
1
1836
1839

Stable
Stable
Stable
1010

Stable

+
0

( 0)

274
264

2.6 108
0.9 1016

6. CHARACTERISTICS

OF

RADIOACTIVE

RADIATIONS
6.1 Characteristics of - decay
(1)
- particle are two times ionised Helium
atoms.
(2)
- particle carry 2- proton and 2 neutrons.
4
(3)
2He (Nucleus) = -particle
(4)
In general - decay is given by
ZX

(5)

(6)
(7)

decay

Z-2Y

A-4

+ 2He4 + (Energy),

(-particle)
atomic number decreases by 2 & mass no.
decreases by 4.
Mass of - particle = (2p + 2n)
= 6.68 10 -27 kg
Charge of - particle = + 2e
= 2 1.6 10-19 coulomb, (+) Ve.
In - particle emission an element goes two
column backward in periodic table.
Energy in - particle emission
= (Mx My M 2 He 4 ) C2
Energy in - particle emission varies from
4.5 MeV to 11 MeV. Through calculation
- Particle has to crop potential barrier of
21 MeV for their emission. Hence -particle
emission can not be explained on the basis
of classical theory.
60

Zx

particle

particle
A

Zx
(5)

(6)
(7)

A
Z+1Y

+ -1e0 + Q

A
0
Z-1Y + +1e + Q

where Q = Energy
In - particle , atomic no. increase by one
and in +emission, atomic no. decreases by
one.
Mass number does not changes in
-emission.
Emission of particle can be explained by
conversion of nuetron in proton & vice versea
in the nucleus.
1
1
0
+
1p 0n + 1e ( )
or 0n1 1p1 + -1e0 ( -)

(8)

To explain energy conservation, linear

momentum conservation and angular
momentum conservation, a hypothetical
neutrino was considered
Neutrino was first given Pauli.
According to neutrino hypothesis, some
particle also emits with -emission, which is
called neutrino.
Rest mass and charge of neutrino are both
zero and angular or spin momentum of
neutrino is (h /2). It travel with speed
of light and it's spin value is .
So by neutrino hypothesis , emission of
particle reaction

(9)
(10)

(11)

(12)

1p1 + -1e0 + (Anti-Neutrino)

1
1
0
1p 0n + 1e + (Neutrino)
Hence reaction ZXA Z-1YA + +1e0 + + Q
0n

Z+1YA + -1e0 + + Q
Existance of nutrino is practically explained
by Rein's Collin.
Energy spectrum of -emission is
continuous.
ZX

(13)
(14)

(No. of -particle)

Emission of -particle can be explained on

the basis of quantum mechanics (Tunnel
effect).
(9)
Energy spectrum of - particle is line
spectrum.
(10) Energy spectrum of -particle also has micro
details
(11) Energy spectrum of -particle shows that a
nucleus also has energy levels like atoms
have.
(12) Energy of -particle emitted from a single
nucleus are not same. These emit in various
energy groups.
(13) Range of - particle (velocity)3
R v3
(14) W hen -particle emission takes place,
-rays are also emitted.
(15) R E3/2 or R = 0.318 E3/2
E : Energy of - particle
(16) (Geiger's and Nuttal law)
Relation between decay constant of a element
and range of -particle as follows:log = A + B log R
A and B are constant. B has equal value
while A have different values for radioactive
series.
6.2 Characteristics of - decay
(1)
-particle are high energy electron or positron.
(a) - or -1e (electron)
(b) + or +1e (Positron)
(2)
Resultant charge on -particle
= 1.6 10-19 coulomb
(3)
Rest mass of -particle are equal to mass
of electron.
(4)
-particle emission can be represented by
following reactions:(8)

n0
n

0.15 MeV

1.17 MeV
(End point energy)

6.3 Characteristic of spectrum

(1)
Energy range of emitted - particle has all
possible energy's -particle.
(2)

Maximum value of energy of -particle is

called end point energy.

During -emission the decreases in energy

of parent nucleus is equal to end point energy
of -particle, latter it is shared by -particle
and neutrino.
6.4 Characteristics of - rays:(1)
- rays are electromagnetic waves of short
wavelength (10-12m)
(3)

(2)

They emit from nucleus.

(3)

They travel with speed of light

(3 108 m/sec)

(4)

These are high energy rays (of photons)

61

When or particle emission takes place,

nucleus come in excited state and during
coming back to normal state radiation
emission takes place

(5)

27Co

60

28Ni

60
28Ni (exicited

60(exicited

state)

state) + -1e0

60
28N

(ground state)
+ Q (gama rays)

(6)

In -decay atomic no. and mass no does not

changes.

(7)

Energy spectrum of -rays is line spectrum.

(8)

This spectrum verifies that same energy levels

are found in nucleus as that of in atom
outside the nucelus.

(9)

It affects photographic plate.

(10)

It has ionising power.

(11)

It also has penetration power.

(12)

It is not affected by electric & magnetic field.

(13)

Intensity of -rays after travelling x- distance

is I = I0 e x [same as x-rays]
I0-Initial intensity, - Absorption coefficient.
I-Intensity of -rays after x- distance

(14)

-rays also shows diffraction by crystal grating

like x- rays.

(15)

-rays radiations after entering into substance

are absorbed in three process depending
upon energy
(A) Photoelectric effect (B) Compton effect
(C) Pair production.

7. RADIOACTIVE SERIES
There are mainly four radio active series. Three
are natural and one is artificial.
(1)

Thorium series (4n series)

90Th

(2)

232

Irregular

, decay

82Pb

208

(stable element)

Neptunium series (4n + 1 series)

This is artificial series
93Np

237

(3)

Uranium series (4n + 2 series ) :92U

(4)

238

Irregular

, decay

82Pb

206

(stable)

Actinium series (4n+3 series) :235

92U

Irregular

, decay

82Pb

207

Last element of radio active series is stable

and decay constant of that element has value
equal to zero.
8. RADIOACTIVE EQUILIBRIUM
NA A = NB B = ...........
or

NA
NB
=
TA
TB = ..............

9. USES OF RADIOACTIVE ISOTOPES

(a) In Medicine (i) For testing blood-Chromium - 51
(ii) For testing blood circulation - Sodium - 24
(iii) For detecting brain tumor-Radio mercury-203
(iv) For detecting fault in thyroid gland-Radio
iodine-131
(v) For cancer - cobalt - 60
(vi) For blood-Gold-189
(vii) For skin diseases-Phospohorous-31
(b) In Archaeology (i) For determining age of archaeological sample
(Carbon dating) C14
(ii) For determining age of meteorities-K40
(iii) For determining age of earth-Lead isotopes
(c) In Agriculture (i) For protecting potato crop from earthworm CO60
(ii) For artificial rains-Ag
(iii) As fertilizers-P32
(d) As tracers - (Tracer) Very small quantity of radioisotopes present
in a mixture is known as Tracer
(i) Tracer technique is used for studying
biochemical reaction in tracer and animals.
(e) In industries (i) For detecting leakage in oil or water pipe
lines.
(ii) For determining the age of planets

Irregular
83Bi209 (stable)
, decay

62

10. POINTS OF REMEMBER

(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)

(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)

(11)
(12)
(13)

Radioactive decay is a nuclear process.

The decay constant of the end product of a
radioactive series is zero.
Radioactivity is not an atomic process.
- rays are never emitted directly by the
nuclei.
The time taken by any radioactive material to
decay completely is infinity irrespective of its
mass and decay constant.
Radioactivity is not associated with the
electron configuration in atom.
The spectrum of -rays is a discrete line
spectrum.
The charge on neutrino is zero.
Activity depends on the quantity & nature of
that material.
Radioactivity remains unaffected due to the
physical and chemical changes of the
material.
1 curie = 3.7 x 1010 disintegration/sec.
1 Rutherford = 106 disintegrations/sec.
decay is explained on the basis of tunnel
effect.

(14) Size of nucleus decreases by -emission.

(15) Cloud chamber is used for detecting
radioactive radiations and for determining their
paths, range and energy.
(16) Geiger-Muller counter is used for detecting
-and -particles and measuring half life.
(17) Coefficient of absorption depends on the
wavelength of -rays and the nature of
absorbing material.
(18) The mass number and the charge number
remain unchanged by -decay
(19) When a -particle is emitted by a nucleus
then its mass number remains unchanged
where as the charge number increases or
decreases.
(20) When an -particle is emitted by a nucleus
then its atomic number decreases by 2 and
mass number decreases by 4.
(21) There are five types of radioactive
disintegration.
(22) Radiation dose is measured in sieverts (Sv).
(23) The interaction responsible for beta decay is
called weak interaction.

63

SOLVED EXAMPLES
Ex.1

Sol.

The half life of polonium is 140 days. In what

time will 15 gm of polonium be disintegrated
out of its initial mass of 16 gm ?
(A) 500 days
(B) 480 days
(C) 560 days
(D) 280 days
Suppose the initial mass of a radio active
element is N0. The mass of the element left
1
after n half-lives is given by N = N 0
2

N0
1
1
1

= N0 ,
=
2
4
4

2
1

2

Ex.4

n
N
1

N =
0
2

N0 = 16 gm. The mass of the disintegrated

element is 15 gm So, the mass of the
element left is N = 16 15 = 1 gm. Thus

Ex. 2

Sol.

Sol.

Ist time of Decay t =

T log(N0 / N)
log 2

1
N = N0
2

1
N = N0
2

1

2

N0
4

n = 2

1
=
2

n = 4

Half life of the substance

=
Ex.5

Sol.

time of disintegra tion

30
=
= 7.5 years.
number of half lives
4

If a radio active material contains 0.1 mg of

Th234, how much of it will remain unchanged
after 120 days ? Its half life is 24 days.
(A) 0.0312 gm
(B) 0.0312 mg
(C) .00312 mg
(D) .00312 gm
T = 24 days, t = 120 days
N0
M0
t
=
= 2120/24 = 25 = 32, N =
,
32
m
2T

Mass left =

Ex.6

Here, N = 25 % of N0 =

n
n
N
1
1
1

N =

=
16 2
0
2

16
1600 log
4 1600 log 2
1 =
t =
,
log 2
log 2

t = 6400 years
The half-life of radium is 1600 years. After
how many years 25% of radium block
remains undecayed?
(A) 3200 years
(B) 4800 years
(C) 7200 years
(D) 9600 years
Suppose the initial quantity of radium is N 0.
Then the quantity left after n half-lives will be

1
=
2

time of disintegration = half life x number of

half lives = 1600 2 = 32 00 years
Find the half-life period of a radio-active
material if its activity drops to 1/16 th of its
initial value in 30 years.
(A) 15 yr.
(B) 7.5 yr.
(C) 22.5 yr.
(D) 120 yr.
If the initial mass of some radio-active
element be N0, then the mass of the element
remaining after n half-lives is given by

n = 4

The half life of polonium is 140 days. Hence,

the time taken in the disintegration of
150 gm polonium = half-life no. of half lives
= 140 4 = 560 days
The half life of radium is 1600 years. In how
15
much time will its
fraction disintegrate ?
16
(A) 6400 years
(B) 3200 years
(C) 1600 years
(D) 8000 years

Ex. 3

1
1
=
16
2

Sol.

Sol.

Original mass
0 .1
=
32
32

= .003125 mg
The half life of a radioactive material is 12.7 hr.
What fraction of the original active material
would become inactive in 63.5 hr ?
(A) 1/32
(B) 1/23
(C) 31/32
(D) 23/32
t = 63.5 Hr, T = 12.7 Hr.
64

N
1
1
1
N0 = 2 t / T = 2( 63.5 / 12.7) = 25

8 =

T = 2sec

N
1
N =
32
0
N =

Inactive fraction

N
1
31
= 1 N = 1
=
32
32
0
Ex.7

Sol.

The activity of a radioactive sample drops of

1/32 of its initial value in 7.5 h. Find the half
life ?
(A) 7.5 Hr.
(B) 5 Hr.
(C) 1.5 Hr.
(D) None

R
1
Given, R =
, t = 7.5 h
32
0
R
1

R0 = 2
1
1
=
32
2

7 .5 / T

Sol.

Ex.9

1
=
2

7 .5 / T

Sol.

t =

n =

7 .5
= 1.5 hours
5

t/T

N = 106/ 2 = 106/1.41

N = 7.9 105
The count rate of a radio active source at
t = 0 was 1600 count/s and at t = 8 sec, it
was 100 counts/s. The count rate (in counts)
at t = 6 sec will be(A) 150
(B) 200
(C) 300
(D) 400

N0
1600
T log
T log16
100 =
N 8 =
log 2
log 2
log 2

T log

1600
26 / 2

N = 200 counts/s

The half life of radium is 1620 years. The

number of half-lives in 3240 years is

10 / 20

1
N = 106
2

t/T

1
is given by N = N0
2

A radio active sample contains 10 6

radioactive nucleus. It's half life is 20 sec.
Number of remaining nucleus after
10 seconds.
(A) 7.09
(B) 7.09 105
(C) 79
(D) 709
1
N = 106
2

N0

Ex.10 1 milligram radium has 2.68 1018 atoms.

Its half-life is 1620 years. How many radium
atoms will disintegrate from 1 milligram of
pure radium in 3240 years ?
(A) 2.01 1018
(B) 0.75 1018
(C) cannot be predicted
(D) None
Sol.
If the initial quantity of a radio-active element
be N0, then the quantity left after n half-lives

t/T

1

2

5 = 7.5/T T =
Ex.8

log 2
T log2 4
8 = 4T log 2
log 2

3240
= 2
1620

1
N = 1
2

( N0 = 1mg), N = 1/4 = 0.25 m

mass of disintegrated radium
= 1 0.25 = 0.75 m
Number of atoms in it = 0.75 (2.86 10 18)
= 2.01 1018
Ex.11 The mean lives of a radioactive material for
and radiations are 1620 and 520 years
respectively. The material decays
simultaneously for and radiations. The
time after which one fourth of the material
remains undecayed is(A) 540 years
(B) 324 years
(C) 720 years
(D) 840 years

Sol.

1620 520

= 1620 520 = 394 years

N0
Time of decay t = 2.303 log10
N
t = 394 2.303 log104
t = 394 2.303 0.602
t = 546 years
65

Ex.12 When 90Th228 gets converted into 83Bi212,

then the number of -and -particles emitted
will respectively be(A) 4 , 7
(B) 4 , 1
(C) 8 , 7
(D) 4 , 4
228 =
212 + x ( He4) + y(-1e0)
Sol.
Th
Bi
90
83
2
According to law of conservation of charge
90 = 83 + 2x y
2x y = 7
According to law of conservation of mass
number 228 = 212 + 4x
4x = 16, x = 4, 2 4 y = 7, y = 1
Hence 4 and 1 will be emitted.
Ex.13 A radioactive Nucleus decays as follows:
A

Sol.

a
b

If the mass number and charge number of A

are 180 and 72 respectively, then for A4 these
values will respectively be(A) 172, 69
(B) 108, 252
(C) 108, 72
(D) None
180
4
176
= 2He + 70A1
72A
176 = e0 +
176
A
70 1
-1
71A2
176

= 2He4 + 69A3172 , 69 A 172

3
= + 69 A

172
4

Ex.14 If the activity of radioactive sample drops to

1/32 of its initial value in 7.5 Hr. Half life will
be(A) 3 Hr
(B) 4.5 Hr
(C) 7.5 Hr
(D) 1.5 Hr.

Po dc

206
82

polonium & value

(A) 140, 210, 84,
(B) 420, 208, 83,
(C) 420, 210, 84,
(D) 140, 210, 84,
Sol.

Pb ef Half
of
4,
2,
2,
2,

life

of

a,b, c, d, e, f will be2, 0, 0

1, 0,0
4, 0, 0
4, 0, 0

N0
= 2t/T, 8 = 2t/T 23 = 2t/T
N
3 = t/T T = t/3 = 420/3 = 140 days
Reaction will be,

A1
A2

A3
A4

71A2

Sol.

Ex.15 In 420 days, the activity of a sample of

polonium, Po fell to one lights of its initial
value. Nuclear reaction is following

210
84

Po 42

206
82

Pb 00

Ex.16 A freshly prepared radioactive sample, with

half-life 2 hours, emits radiations whose
intensity is 64 times higher than its safe
level. The minimum time after which it will be
safe to work with the sample will be(A) 42 hr
(B) 6 hr
(C) 128 hr
(D) 12 hr
Sol.

t/T
N
1
1

=
N0 = 2
64

1

2

1
=
2

1
1

=
64
2

t/2

t/T

t = 6T = 12 hr.

A = A0/32, t = 7.5 Hr, T = ?

A0
= 2t/T
A

32 = 2t/T 25 = 2t/T 5 = t/T

T = t/5 T = 7.5/5 = 1.5 Hr.

66