What describes the rate of a nuclear decay reaction?

a. the reaction rate can be affected by temperature and pressure.

b. the reaction rate can be affected by the amount of reactant remaining.

c. the reaction rate is fixed, so it cannot be increased or decreased.

d. the reaction rate is fixed, but it can be altered by extreme temperatures.

C

Explanation:

Radioactivity or radioactive decay is simply the spontaneous disintegration of the nuclei of a radioactive atom.

Although this phenomenon is spontaneous, it takes some time to take effect. To describe the amount of time it takes, we use what is known as the radioactive decay rate. The radioactive decay rate talks about the actual mass of the radioactive nuclei that is being decomposed or disintegrated per unit time. Hence, it talks about the time taken for an actual mass of the radioactive nuclei to disintegrate.

Now, a very good example of this phenomenon can be seen in the term called half life. The half life is simply the time taken for exactly half the mass of the radioactive nuclei to decay. Hence, upon reaching that time, the mass of the radioactive nuclei is exactly halved.

The radioactive decay rate is independent of the physical or chemical composition of the nuclei. It is also independent of temperature. It is noteworthy to mention that the value of the radioactive decay rate is constant throughout the lifetime of the radioactive nuclei.