True (if the decay rate and mass are the "initial decay rate" and the "initial mass").Borek said:Gokul: if the decay is defined as counts/minute there is enough data to solve the question
Radioactive decay is the process by which a unstable atom releases energy and particles to become more stable. Half life is the amount of time it takes for half of the original amount of a radioactive substance to decay.
The molecular mass can be calculated using the equation: MM = (0.693 x N0) / (t1/2 x ln2), where MM is the molecular mass, N0 is the initial number of atoms, and t1/2 is the half life of the substance.
Sure, let's say we have a sample of Carbon-14 with an initial amount of 1000 atoms and a half life of 5730 years. Plugging these values into the equation, we get MM = (0.693 x 1000) / (5730 x ln2) = 1.21 x 10^19 g/mol.
The half life directly affects the molecular mass because it determines the rate at which the radioactive substance decays. A longer half life means a slower rate of decay and a higher molecular mass, while a shorter half life means a faster rate of decay and a lower molecular mass.
Yes, there are a few limitations to this method. Firstly, it assumes that the decay process is constant and does not take into account any external factors that may affect it. Additionally, it only applies to radioactive substances with a single decay pathway and does not account for any secondary decays. Lastly, it is important to note that the calculated molecular mass may not be an exact match to the actual molecular mass due to experimental error and uncertainty.