For a Selected Atom in a Sample of a Radioactively

question 76

Multiple Choice

For a selected atom in a sample of a radioactively decaying isotope, the probability that it will decay during a time interval of a specified length is

• A) dependent on how long it has been since t = 0.
• B) independent of when the time interval starts relative to the current time.
• C) dependent upon how old the atom is.
• D) fundamentally unpredictable.

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Definitions:

Personal Attributions

People’s explanations for why events or actions occur that refer to people’s internal characteristics, such as abilities, traits, moods, or efforts.

Trustworthiness

The quality of being reliable, honest, and deserving of trust.

Interest

A feeling of curiosity or concern about something, leading to a desire to learn more or engage with it.

Cognitive Dissonance

An uncomfortable mental state due to a contradiction between two attitudes or between an attitude and a behavior.