Radioactive secular equilibrium occurs between a parent element A and its daughter element B. Under — Nuclear Chemistry and Radioactivity Chemistry Question
Question
Radioactive secular equilibrium occurs between a parent element A and its daughter element B. Under this steady-state condition, which of the following mathematical relationships holds true regarding their amounts ($N$) and half-lives ($T_{1/2}$)?
Answer: B
💡 Solution & Explanation
At steady state, rate of decay of A = rate of decay of B, so $N_A \lambda_A = N_B \lambda_B$. Since $\lambda = 0.693 / T_{1/2}$, substituting yields $N_A / T_{1/2(A)} = N_B / T_{1/2(B)}$, which rearranges directly to $N_A / N_B = T_{1/2(A)} / T_{1/2(B)}$.
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