Calcualtion of electric potential and radioactive decay

In summary, the conversation discusses the calculation of total energy deposited by nickel atoms through a decay process, with the given information of the number of decays per second and the energy deposited per decay. The units of the heat capacity are also mentioned and a request for further clarification is made.
  • #1
Physicslearner500039
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6
Homework Statement
A solid copper sphere whose radius is 1.0 cm has a very thin surface coating of nickel. Some of the nickel atoms are radioactive, each atom emitting an electron as it decays. Half of these electrons enter the copper sphere, each depositing 100 keV of energy there. The other half of the electrons escape, each carrying away a charge -e. The nickel coating has an activity of 3.70 X 10^8 radioactive decays per second. The sphere is hung from a long, nonconducting string and isolated from its surroundings. (a) How long will it take for the potential of the sphere to increase by 1000V? (b) How long will it take for the temperature of the sphere to increase by 5.0 K due to the energy deposited by the electrons? The heat capacity of the sphere is 14 J/K.
Relevant Equations
NA
P24_105.PNG

This is just a representative diagram to visualize
1588088651013.png

Surely a very tough one for me to solve. The number of nickel atoms are not mentioned. if the number of decays are ##3.78∗10^8## and with each decay depositing 100keV. The total energy deposited is
##100keV∗3.78∗10^8=6.048∗10^6##
I have to multiple this with the number of atoms to get total energy. Not sure how to proceed further. Please advise.
 
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  • #2
You don't need to know the number of nickel atoms. It tells you how many decay per second, which is all you need to know. Also, in your calculation of the total energy, is it really a total energy? What are its units? One other thing is that your statement of the heat capacity makes no sense. 1411K makes no sense as a heat capacity. What units should a heat capacity have?
 
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  • #3
phyzguy said:
1411K makes no sense as a heat capacity. What units hould a heat capacity have?
The question was in the attachment
View attachment 1588090631975.png
 
  • #4
Physicslearner500039 said:
The question was in the attachment
OK, but since you re-copied it, you should make sure you re-copied it correctly. I don't want to have to search through the attachment to find your errors. I suggest you edit Post #1 to correct it.

Edit: I see you edited it. Thank you.
 
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  • #5
##\text{J}\text{K}^{-1} \times \text{K} = \text{J}##
 
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1. What is electric potential?

Electric potential is the amount of electric potential energy per unit charge at a specific point in an electric field.

2. How is electric potential calculated?

Electric potential is calculated by dividing the electric potential energy by the charge at a given point in an electric field.

3. What is radioactive decay?

Radioactive decay is the process by which unstable atoms release energy and particles in order to become more stable.

4. How is the rate of radioactive decay calculated?

The rate of radioactive decay is calculated using the half-life of the radioactive substance, which is the amount of time it takes for half of the substance to decay.

5. What factors affect the rate of radioactive decay?

The rate of radioactive decay is affected by the type of radioactive substance, the amount of the substance present, and external factors such as temperature and pressure.

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