Question Video: Predicting Radioactive Decay | Nagwa Question Video: Predicting Radioactive Decay | Nagwa

Question Video: Predicting Radioactive Decay Science

Which of the following statements about the prediction of radioactive decay of an unstable atomic nucleus is correct? [A] The time at which an unstable atomic nucleus will decay cannot be predicted. [B] The time at which an unstable atomic nucleus will decay can be predicted.

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Video Transcript

Which of the following statements about the prediction of radioactive decay of an unstable atomic nucleus is correct? (A) The time at which an unstable atomic nucleus will decay cannot be predicted. (B) The time at which an unstable atomic nucleus will decay can be predicted.

Recall that an unstable atomic nucleus can decay spontaneously. This means that even if nothing from outside the nucleus influences the nucleus, the nucleus may still decay at any moment, or it may not decay at that moment.

Consider an unstable nucleus that is not being influenced by anything outside the nucleus. Whether or not this nucleus decays at a given moment depends entirely on what is happening within the nucleus. As far as it is currently possible to understand, there is in fact no way to tell at what time the unstable nucleus will decay. Even if things outside an unstable nucleus do start to influence the nucleus, as far as it is currently possible to understand, there is still no way to tell at what time the unstable nucleus will decay.

The answer must then be option (A). The time at which an unstable atomic nucleus will decay cannot be predicted.

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