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UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist

Chemist

  • 3 descriptive papers
  • 200 marks each
  • 3 h per paper

Mains Paper I covers inorganic chemistry.

UPSC Combined Geo-Scientist, Mains · 2024 · Mains Paper I

Q9(c). Separation and enrichment factors

Question

Explain the relation between elementary separation factor, α, and enrichment factor, ε, in terms of abundance of a particular isotope in a mixture during the separation.

Answer in brief

For two compared streams with isotope fractions x₁ and x₂, α = [x₁/(1 − x₁)]/[x₂/(1 − x₂)] and ε = α − 1.

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Topic notes: nuclear chemistry: radioactive decay, binding energy, radiocarbon dating and the GM counter, with every Civil Services, IFoS and Geo-Scientist PYQ →

Coversisotope separationseparation factorenrichment factorisotope abundance ratioradiochemical separation

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