Radioactivity - background rate

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the background radiation rate associated with Cesium, specifically focusing on Cesium-137. Participants are exploring the nuances of what is meant by "background rate" and the specific context in which it is being asked.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning the specifics of the original poster's inquiry, such as whether they are referring to exposure rates, decay rates, or specific isotopes. There is also discussion about the relevance of the term "background rate" in this context.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided suggestions for resources and clarified the need for more specific information to address the question effectively. There is an ongoing exploration of different interpretations of the original inquiry without a clear consensus.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the term "background rate of cesium" lacks clarity, prompting further questions about the intended meaning and context, such as location and specific isotopes involved.

thegame
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Hello, anyone know a website to find the background rate of Cesium?
 
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No clue.. have you tried a google search?
 
thegame said:
Hello, anyone know a website to find the background rate of Cesium?
are you looking for the exposure rate of background radiation due to Cesium? Decay rate? which isotope? what location? or are you looking for the exposure rate due to cesium?

background rate of cesium doesn't really mean anything so it's kind of hard to answer your question.

http://www.nndc.bnl.gov/index.jsp has a lot of information on radioisotopes. I think the USGS might have some maps of background radiation levels around the US somewhere in their website.
 
Cesium 137 decay rate... I am pretty sure its a constant, since its half life is 30 years.
 
thegame said:
Cesium 137 decay rate... I am pretty sure its a constant, since its half life is 30 years.
decay rate of any radioisotope is typically specified in terms of it's half life and is constant for every radioisotope. perhaps it's the decay constant you're actually looking for?

[tex]A(t) = A(0) exp(-\lambda t)[/tex]
where [tex]\lambda[/tex] is the decay constant ([tex]\lambda = ln(2)/T_{1/2}[/tex]) and A(0) = initial activity
 
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