Two containers hold the same radioactive isotope. Container A contains 1000 atoms, and container B contains 500 atoms. Which of
the following statements about containers A and B is true? Two containers hold the same radioactive isotope. Container A contains 1000 atoms, and container B contains 500 atoms. Which of the following statements about containers A and B is true? The rate of decay of atoms (half-life) in container A is greater (or longer) than the rate of decay of atoms (half-life) in container B. The rate of decay of atoms (half-life) in container B is greater (or longer) than the rate of decay of atoms (half-life) in container A. The rate of decay of atoms (half-life) in container B is the same as the rate of decay of atoms (half-life) in container A.
This is due to the differences in the concentrations of the radioactive isotopes in the two containers of the same volume. In container A, with a higher density of atoms, there is a higher chance of a neutron released in the decay of one atom, hitting another atom and splitting it. This is in comparison to container B that has fewer atoms that are widely dispersed due to the lower density. Atoms in cointainer A will therefore decay faster (shorter half-life) than atoms in container B.
