A radioactive nucleus can decay by two different processes. Half-life for the first process is \( 3.0 \) hours while it is \( 4.5 \) hours for the second process. The effective half-life of the nucleus will be:
\( 3.75 \) hours
\( 0.56 \) hours
\( 0.26 \) hours
\( 1.80 \) hours