What happens to the half-life and mass of reactants broken down during a nuclear decay reaction?

The half-life of the reactants in a nuclear decay reaction remains constant over time, and the mass of the reactants that are consumed stays the same.

The half-life of reactants in a nuclear decay reaction remains constant over time, but the mass of reactants that are consumed decreases.

The half-life of reactants in a nuclear decay reaction decreases over time, but the mass of the reactants that are consumed stays the same.

The half-life of reactants in a nuclear decay reaction increases over time, and the mass of the reactants that are consumed increases.

Question

Susan

Chemistry

24 July, 17:34

What happens to the half-life and mass of reactants broken down during a nuclear decay reaction?

The half-life of the reactants in a nuclear decay reaction remains constant over time, and the mass of the reactants that are consumed stays the same.

The half-life of reactants in a nuclear decay reaction remains constant over time, but the mass of reactants that are consumed decreases.

The half-life of reactants in a nuclear decay reaction decreases over time, but the mass of the reactants that are consumed stays the same.

The half-life of reactants in a nuclear decay reaction increases over time, and the mass of the reactants that are consumed increases.

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Answers (1)

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Jonathon Meadows · Answer 1

The half-life of reactants in a nuclear decay reaction remains constant over time, but the mass of reactants that are consumed decreases.

Explanation:

The half-life is defined as the time in which half of the starting number of radioactive atoms decayed in products. The half-life it is a intrinsec property of the reactant atom and it is a constant. As time passes more and more atoms are decaying through the nuclear reaction so the quantity of the radioactive compounds (reactant) is decreasing.