Branching Decays
An isotope may be subject to more than one decay process
characterized by different decay rates. This section will examine a case
in which two decay processes are possible.
Section 4 Exercises:
- Is the number of nuclei a constant? If so, what is it?
- The decay of the parent is exponential. What is the decay rate
of the parent?
- What are the decay rates associated with Processes 1 & 2?
- Does the sum of the decay rates for the two processes equal the decay rate
of the parent?
- For times greater than several half-lives of these processes, the values
of N2 and N3 are constants. Write an expression
for N2 and N3 in terms of N1 and the
appropriate decay rate.