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)

Responses

petals falling from a flower
petals falling from a flower

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

1 answer

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

This analogy works because, like radioactive decay, each kernel pops independently and unpredictably over time, and once it pops (or decays), it cannot pop again (it’s irreversible). In contrast, the other options do not capture the aspect of irreversible and random decay as effectively.