Question

are all the radio active reactions are first order?

Answer 1

The nomenclature is from Chemistry. In first order kinetics, the rate of reaction is proportional to the concentration. ... Since the decay rate is proportional to first power of radioactive atoms present, therefore, radioactive decay is a first order kinetics.

Answer 2

The nomenclature is from Chemistry. In first order kinetics, the rate of reaction is proportional to the concentration.

In radioactive decay the number of radioactive atoms decaying per unit time is proportional to the total number of radioactive atoms present at that time, i.e.

∆N = - ( decay constant) N ∆t

(∆N/∆t) = - (decay constant) N

Since the decay rate is proportional to first power of radioactive atoms present, therefore, radioactive decay is a first order kinetics.