Calculating Am-241 Content from Radioactivity Measurements

In summary, to determine the amount of Am-241 contained in a piece with a radioactivity of 10 kBq, we can use the equation A=A_0\exp\left(\frac{-t\ln 2}{T_{1/2}}\right) where A_0 is the initial activity of 10000 Bq and T_{1/2} is the half-life. By solving for t, we can calculate the number of decays and therefore the amount of Am-241 in the piece.
  • #1
triac
20
0

Homework Statement


A piece of Am-241 has a radioactivity of 10kBq. Determine how much Am-241 it contains.


Homework Equations


[tex]N(t)=N_0(\frac{1}{2})^{t/T_{1/2}} [/tex]


The Attempt at a Solution


Let A be the activity
Let N be the number of atoms
We know that [tex]A(t)=A_0(\frac{1}{2})^{t/T_{1/2}}[/tex] We can set our initial time to zero, which gives us [tex]A(t)=10kBq=A_0[/tex].
Furthermore, we know that A(t)=-N(t). We also know that [tex]N(t)=N_0(\frac{1}{2})^{t/T_{1/2}} => N'(t)=-\frac{N_0ln2}{T_{1/2}}(\frac{1}{2})^{t/T_{1/2}}[/tex][tex]=>N'(0)=-\frac{N_0ln2}{T_{1/2}}=10kBq => N_0=\frac{10kBqT_{1/2}}{ln2}[/tex]. Now we use that one atom weights 241,0568229u and that the half-life is 432,2 y (I converted it to seconds). Then we get that the mass of our "piece" is approximately 78,7 micrograms. However, in the key it says 1,83 ng.
What am I doing wrong here?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2


It's much simpler than that
The number of decays in a second is just the number of atoms * the chance of a decay/second
Which is just 1/mean lifetime - which you can easily get form the half life
 
  • #3


Use this equation.
[tex]
A=A_0\exp\left(\frac{-t\ln 2}{T_{1/2}}\right),
[/tex]
[tex]A_0[/tex]=10000 Bq,
[tex]T_{1/2}[/tex] is halflife
PS: What is 't' (times passed from initial activity)?
 

What is Am-241 radioactivity?

Am-241 is an isotope of the element Americium, which is a radioactive element. This means that it spontaneously emits energy in the form of particles or waves in order to become more stable. Am-241 is a common source of ionizing radiation and is used in smoke detectors and in some medical procedures.

How does Am-241 exposure affect the human body?

Exposure to Am-241 can be harmful to the human body, especially if it is inhaled or ingested. The emitted particles or waves can damage cells and DNA, which can lead to mutations and potentially cancer. High levels of exposure can also cause acute radiation sickness, which can have symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and fatigue.

Where is Am-241 commonly found?

Am-241 is commonly found in smoke detectors, where it is used as a source of ionizing radiation to detect smoke particles. It is also used in some medical procedures, such as radiotherapy for cancer treatment. In addition, Am-241 can be found in some industrial and research settings, as it is used in certain types of gauges and in nuclear fuel rods.

How is Am-241 radioactivity measured?

Am-241 radioactivity is typically measured in units of becquerels (Bq) or curies (Ci). Becquerels are the SI unit of measurement for radioactivity, and one becquerel is equal to one radioactive decay per second. Curie is an older unit of measurement and is equal to 3.7 x 10^10 becquerels. Both units are used to describe the amount of Am-241 present in a sample.

How is Am-241 radioactivity regulated?

The use and handling of Am-241 is regulated by various government agencies, such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in the United States. These agencies set limits on the amount of Am-241 that can be used and the exposure levels allowed for workers and the general public. They also oversee the proper handling, storage, and disposal of Am-241 to ensure public safety and minimize environmental impact.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
5
Replies
170
Views
4K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
2
Replies
38
Views
3K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
722
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
32
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
221
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
1K
Back
Top