Question

The rate of spontaneous nuclear decay:

A) can be increased by the addition of a nuclear catalyst.
B) can be increased by increasing the concentration of the radioactive element.
C) is independent of concentration or temperature.
D) can be increased by increasing the temperature.
E) All of the above

Answer 1

The rate of spontaneous nuclear decay is independent of concentration or temperature and is a property specific to each isotope, such as Technetium-99m and Uranium-238, determined by its half-life.

Step-by-step explanation:

The rate of spontaneous nuclear decay is a factor determined by the inherent stability of the nucleus and is not influenced by external conditions such as temperature or the presence of a catalyst. The correct answer to the question is C) is independent of concentration or temperature. Radioactive decay is a spontaneous process that occurs at a rate determined by the half-life of the radioisotope.

Each isotope has a characteristic half-life that is not affected by changes in environmental conditions. For instance, Technetium-99m has a relatively short half-life of about six hours, suitable for medical imaging, whereas Uranium-238 decays at a much slower rate, with a half-life of over four billion years.