(a) The half-life of 56/25 Mn is 9.3 x 10\(^3\)S. What does the statement mean? (b) Give the three types of radiation that are usually emitted by radioactiv...

Answer Details

(a) The statement that the half-life of \(^{56}_{25}Mn\) is \(9.3\times10^{3}\) s means that the time required for one-half of the atoms (nuclei) present in any given sample of the radioactive manganese-56 to decay (disintegrate) is \(9.3\times10^{3}\) seconds. After each interval of \(9.3\times10^{3}\) s, the amount of the undecayed Mn-56 remaining is reduced to half of what it was at the start of that interval.

(b) The three types of radiation usually emitted by radioactive substances:

• Alpha (\(\alpha\)) radiation, positively charged helium nuclei.
• Beta (\(\beta\)) radiation, negatively charged fast-moving electrons.
• Gamma (\(\gamma\)) radiation, high-energy electromagnetic waves carrying no charge.