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Radioactive decay.

 
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Sep18-05, 09:02 AM   #1
 

Radioactive decay.


Simple question, but i dont know where to start.

The half life of one radioactive isotope of sodium is 2.6 years. Show that its decay constant is 8.4 x 10^-9 s^-1.

Thanks in advance,

Ben.
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Sep18-05, 11:01 AM   #2
 
[tex] T_h = \frac {ln2} { \lambda} [/tex]



But remember to convert the time into seconds!
Sep18-05, 11:02 AM   #3
 
Do you know the following identity [itex]T = \frac{ln 2}{\lambda}[/itex], where [itex]T[/itex] is the half life in seconds and [itex]\lambda[/itex] is the decay constant.
Sep18-05, 12:37 PM   #4
 

Radioactive decay.


Ah got it,

Thanks guys.

Was a simple error, i converted it to seconds by doing =

2.6 x 365 x 3600. And i forgot about the hours.

3600 x 24 x 365 x 2.6 = no.seconds gave the correct answer.

Silly mistake.
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