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How is the decay constant, lambda, related to the half-life, t(1/2)?
ALambda equals the half-life divided by 0.693
BLambda equals the half-life multiplied by 2
CLambda is unrelated to the half-life
DLambda equals about 0.693 divided by the half-life
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. Lambda equals about 0.693 divided by the half-life
1. The decay constant lambda controls how quickly the exponential decay curve falls.
2. It is calculated as approximately 0.693 divided by the half-life.
3. Dividing the half-life by 0.693 inverts this relationship incorrectly.
4. Multiplying the half-life by 2, or treating lambda as unrelated to half-life, both contradict the defining equation.
5. So lambda equal to about 0.693 divided by the half-life is correct.
_Source: OpenStax Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 22 "The Atom", section 22.3 Half Life and Radiometric Dating_
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