Half-life and Decay — Mains Questions

Discuss the significance of half-life in the context of India's three-stage nuclear power program and the challenges associated with nuclear waste management. (15 marks, 250 words)

Explain the principle of carbon-14 dating and its applications in archaeological studies. What are its limitations? (10 marks, 150 words)

How do the distinct half-lives of various medical radioisotopes influence their selection for diagnostic versus therapeutic applications in nuclear medicine? Illustrate with examples. (15 marks, 250 words)