- #1
sciencegeek101
- 8
- 0
Homework Statement
A patient is treated for cancer using radiation from a cobalt-60 unit. Exactly 1.5 years later another patient is treated for the same cancer using the same co-60unit previously used. How much longer would treatment be for the second patient?
Homework Equations
Decay Constant (λ)
A(t)= Activity after 1.5 years
A0= original activity
A(t)=A0(e^-λt)
=A0(0.165)
Therefore the activity after 1.5 years is 16% of the original activity, so the treatment time would be 83.5% longer than the original treatment time
The Attempt at a Solution
Decay Constant (λ)= 0.1 months^-1
A(t)=A0(0.165)
Therefore the activity after 1.5 years is 16.5% of the original activity, so the treatment time would be 83.5% longer than the original treatment time
Last edited by a moderator:
