Define the disintegration rate or radioactivity of a sample and obtain the relation $R = \lambda N$ and define its different units. 

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store

The number of disintegrating nuclei per unit time in radioactive sample is called the decay rate or radioactivity (R).

If the radioactive sample contains $\mathrm{N}$ nucleus at time $t$, then the rate of disintegration or activity $R$ is given as follows,

$\mathrm{R}=-\frac{d \mathrm{~N}}{d t}$

the negative sign indicates that as time passes activity decreases.

From law of radioactivity decay,

$-\frac{d \mathrm{~N}}{d t}=\lambda \mathrm{N}$

$\therefore \mathrm{R}=\lambda \mathrm{N}$

but $\mathrm{N}=\mathrm{N}_{0} e^{-\lambda . t}, \mathrm{R}=\lambda \mathrm{N}_{0} e^{-\lambda t}$ which is another form of the radioactive decay law and $\mathrm{m}=\mathrm{m}_{0} e^{-\lambda . t}$ is the third form.

The decay rate of a radioactive sample $\mathrm{R}$, rather than the number of radioactive nuclei is more direct experimentally measurable quantity and is given a specific name activity.

Exponential law :

$(1)$ For number $\mathrm{N}=\mathrm{N}_{0} e^{-\lambda t}$

$(2)$ For mass $\mathrm{m}=\mathrm{m}_{0} e^{-\lambda t}$ and

$(3)$ For activity $\mathrm{R}=\mathrm{R}_{0} e^{-\lambda t}$

Similar Questions

$1 \,mg$ gold undergoes decay with $2.7$ days half-life period, amount left after $8.1$ days is ......... $mg$

At a given instant there are $25\%$ undecayed radioactive nuclei in a same. After $10 \,sec$ the number of undecayed nuclei reduces to $6.25\%$, the mean life of the nuclei is...........$ sec$

Which of the following cannot be emitted by radioactive substances during their decay

  • [AIEEE 2003]

Radioactive substances do not emit

There are $10^{10}$ radioactive nuclei in a given radioactive element, Its half-life time is $1\, minute.$ How many nuclei will remain after $30\, seconds?$

$(\sqrt{2}=1.414)$

  • [JEE MAIN 2021]