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NEET PHYSICSNUCLEIMedium

Question

Two radioactive nuclei P and Q, in a given sample decay into a stable nucleus R. At time t = 0, the number of P species are 4N_0 and that of Q is N_0. Half-life of P (for conversion to R) is 1 min whereas that of Q is 2 min. Initially there are no nuclei of R present in the sample. When number of nuclei of P and Q are equal, the number of nuclei of R present in the sample would be:

A

3N_0

B

9N_0/2

C

5N_0/2

D

2N_0

Step-by-Step Solution

  1. Decay Equation: The number of nuclei remaining NN after time tt is given by N=Ninitial(12)t/T1/2N = N_{initial} \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^{t/T_{1/2}} .
  2. Find Time (tt) for Equal Nuclei:
  • For P: NP=4N0(12)t/1N_P = 4N_0 \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^{t/1}
  • For Q: NQ=N0(12)t/2N_Q = N_0 \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^{t/2}
  • Equating NP=NQN_P = N_Q: 4N0(12)t=N0(12)t/24N_0 \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^{t} = N_0 \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^{t/2} 4=(1/2)t/2(1/2)t=(12)t/2=2t/24 = \frac{(1/2)^{t/2}}{(1/2)^t} = \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^{-t/2} = 2^{t/2} 22=2t/2    t2=2    t=4 min2^2 = 2^{t/2} \implies \frac{t}{2} = 2 \implies t = 4 \text{ min}
  1. Calculate Nuclei of R Formed:
  • Nuclei of R formed = (Decayed P) + (Decayed Q).
  • Remaining P at 4 min: NP(4)=4N0(1/2)4=4N0/16=N0/4N_P(4) = 4N_0 (1/2)^4 = 4N_0/16 = N_0/4.
  • Decayed P = 4N0N0/4=15N0/44N_0 - N_0/4 = 15N_0/4.
  • Remaining Q at 4 min: NQ(4)=N0(1/2)2=N0/4N_Q(4) = N_0 (1/2)^2 = N_0/4.
  • Decayed Q = N0N0/4=3N0/4N_0 - N_0/4 = 3N_0/4.
  • Total R = 15N04+3N04=18N04=9N02\frac{15N_0}{4} + \frac{3N_0}{4} = \frac{18N_0}{4} = \frac{9N_0}{2}.

Exam Context & Concepts Covered

This question aligns with the NEET PHYSICS syllabus, specifically targeting concepts from NUCLEI. Mastering this topic is crucial for scoring well in the upcoming medical entrance examinations. Solving conceptually related problems will help you understand the nuances of these concepts and improve your problem-solving speed.

PHYSICSNUCLEIradioactivenucleisamplestablenucleus

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