Calcualtion of electric potential and radioactive decay

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the total energy deposited from radioactive decay, specifically involving nickel atoms. The calculation provided indicates that with 3.78×108 decays, each depositing 100 keV, the total energy amounts to 6.048×106 joules. Participants clarify that the number of nickel atoms is not necessary for this calculation, as the decay rate suffices. Additionally, there is a correction regarding the units of heat capacity, emphasizing that 1411 K is not a valid unit for heat capacity.

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  • Knowledge of heat capacity and its correct units
  • Basic skills in mathematical calculations involving scientific notation
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  • Learn about energy conversion between keV and joules
  • Study the concept of heat capacity, including its units and significance
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Physicslearner500039
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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.
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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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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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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
 
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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##\text{J}\text{K}^{-1} \times \text{K} = \text{J}##
 
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