Fundamentals of Physics Extended (10th Edition)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1-11823-072-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-11823-072-5

Chapter 42 - Nuclear Physics - Questions - Page 1302: 11

Answer

Yes, there will be a time $t$ when $R_A = R_B$

Work Step by Step

We can write an expression for the decay rate: $R = R_0~e^{-\lambda t} = \frac{R_0}{e^{\lambda t}}$ Initially, $R_A \gt R_B$ However, since $\lambda_A \gt \lambda_B$, as time increases, $R_A$ decreases more steeply than $R_B$. Therefore, there will be a time $t$ when $R_A = R_B$
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