The process of radioactive decay is unpredictable and irreversible. Which option would be an appropriate model of the radioactive decay of a group of atoms?(1 point)

Question

Responses

breaking off pieces of wet clay
breaking off pieces of wet clay

popping a bag of popcorn
popping a bag of popcorn

throwing tennis balls over a fence
throwing tennis balls over a fence

petals falling from a flower

Answer 1

The most appropriate model of the radioactive decay of a group of atoms from the options given is popping a bag of popcorn.

This is because, much like the unpredictable timing of individual kernels popping in a bag of popcorn, radioactive decay occurs randomly and independently for each atom in a sample. The overall process can be observed statistically (like the number of kernels that pop), but the exact moment each individual atom decays is unpredictable, making this analogy suitable.