CMC Medical CMC-Medical VELLORE Solved Paper-2009

  • question_answer
    A radioactive element x converts into another stable element y. Half-life of x is 2 h, initially only x is present. After time r, the ratio of atoms of x and y is found to be 1 : 4, then t in hour is

    A)  2                                            

    B)  4

    C)  between 4 and 6            

    D)  6

    Correct Answer: C

    Solution :

                    Let \[{{N}_{0}}\]be the number of atoms of\[x\]at time \[t=0\]. Then at \[t=4h,\] ie, (two half-lives) \[{{N}_{x}}={{N}_{0}}{{\left( \frac{1}{2} \right)}^{2}}\] \[{{N}_{x}}=\frac{{{N}_{0}}}{4}\] \[\therefore \]  \[{{N}_{y}}={{N}_{0}}-\frac{{{N}_{0}}}{4}=\frac{3{{N}_{0}}}{4}\] \[\therefore \]  \[\frac{{{N}_{x}}}{{{N}_{y}}}=\frac{1}{3}\] Now, at \[t=6\,h,\]ie, (three half-lives) \[{{N}_{x}}={{N}_{0}}{{\left( \frac{1}{2} \right)}^{3}}=\frac{{{N}_{0}}}{8}\]                 and        \[{{N}_{x}}={{N}_{0}}-{{N}_{x}}\]                                       \[={{N}_{0}}-\frac{{{N}_{0}}}{8}\]       \[=\frac{7{{N}_{0}}}{8}\] or            \[\frac{{{N}_{x}}}{{{N}_{y}}}=\frac{1}{7}\] The given ratio lies between \[\frac{1}{3}\] and \[\frac{1}{7}\] Therefore, t lies between 4 h and 6 h.


You need to login to perform this action.
You will be redirected in 3 sec spinner