How Many Atoms per Cubic Centimeter Are in Radioactive Water After Cleanup?

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In summary, the conversation discusses the amount of radioactive water remaining at 3 mile island after cleanup and the concentration of 137 Cs (cesium 137) in the water. The question is then raised about the number of atoms per cubic cm in the water. A calculation is provided, but it is noted that the activity or half-life of Cs137 is needed for a more accurate answer.
  • #1
NucE
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Homework Statement


"After cleanup at 3 mile island approximately 400,000 gal of radioactive water remained in the basement of the contaminated building. The principle sources of radioactivity were 137 Cs at 156E-6 Ci/cubic cm. How many atoms per cubic cm were in the water ?

Homework Equations


Not sure...

The Attempt at a Solution



6.022E23 * 156E-6/137 = 6.86E17
 
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  • #2
It's a little more complicated than that.

A Curie (Ci) is 3.7E10 decays/second - so there are 156E-6 * 3.7E10 decays/sec/cc.

Then you need the activity or half-life of Cs137 to know what chance there is of a decay in a second for one atom, or alternatively how many atoms there needs to be to give the above overall decay rate.
 
  • #3
atoms/cubic cm

I would like to clarify that the given information is not sufficient to accurately calculate the number of atoms per cubic cm in the radioactive water. The number of atoms in a substance depends on its mass and the atomic mass of the element. Additionally, the given information does not specify the volume of the contaminated water, which is necessary for this calculation. Furthermore, the given value of 137 Cs at 156E-6 Ci/cubic cm is a measure of radioactivity, not the number of atoms. Therefore, a more accurate calculation cannot be provided without further information.
 

What is an atom?

An atom is the basic unit of matter that makes up all elements. It consists of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons in orbitals.

How many atoms are in a cubic centimeter?

The number of atoms in a cubic centimeter depends on the substance and its density. In general, a cubic centimeter of a solid contains more atoms than a cubic centimeter of a gas. The exact number can be calculated using Avogadro's number, which is approximately 6.02 x 10^23 atoms per mole of a substance.

What is radiation?

Radiation refers to the emission or transmission of energy in the form of waves or particles. This energy can come from various sources, including the sun, nuclear reactions, and technological devices. It can be classified into two types: ionizing radiation (high energy that can cause damage to cells) and non-ionizing radiation (lower energy that does not cause direct damage to cells).

What is cubic centimeter of radiation?

A cubic centimeter of radiation is not a commonly used unit of measurement. It may refer to the volume of space that is exposed to radiation or the amount of radiation present in a cubic centimeter of a substance. It is important to note that the level of radiation can vary greatly depending on the source and type of radiation.

How does radiation affect atoms in a cubic centimeter?

Radiation can interact with atoms in a cubic centimeter in various ways, depending on the type of radiation and the substance it is passing through. Some forms of radiation, such as gamma rays and X-rays, can ionize atoms by knocking off electrons, which can cause damage to cells. Other types of radiation, like visible light and radio waves, do not have enough energy to ionize atoms and typically do not cause harm to living organisms.

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