- #1
PhysicStud01
- 174
- 0
Homework Statement
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
i believe that a half-life of several years is too long to gather the data
but i can't figure which of the 2 emitter and why?
the answer is given to be C
i've taken a look at the characteristic of both, but can't figure which one of them to use here.Bystander said:You're given two different decay mechanisms/modes from which to choose. What are the characteristics of the two?
it was not said in the question. should this be known?Bystander said:The water line is 0.4 m underground. Which is mode are you going to be able to detect?
Step 1: read the question. Step 2: when step 1 fails, re-read the question. Step 3: repeat step 2 until you are familiar with the information given in the question.PhysicStud01 said:it wasnotsaid in the question. should this be known?
i don't understand. the answer is gamma rays. if the water can't be drunk, it should not be the emitter?BvU said:Yes, it should be known somewhat. ##\beta## is charged, so at low-energies it interacts a lot heftier than ##\gamma##. And: Roentgen rays are ##\gamma## rays.
Don't drink the water :)
I read again, but it's really not said in the question?Bystander said:Step 1: read the question. Step 2: when step 1 fails, re-read the question. Step 3: repeat step 2 until you are familiar with the information given in the question.
so, it is detected through a pipe. but how does the 2 differ?Bystander said:You included it with the problem statement in the template; "In order to trace the line of a water pipe buried 0.4 m beneath the surface of a field ..."
basically they are all radiations, with different properties and characteristics.Bystander said:Have "alpha, beta, and gamma" decays been defined/explained to you at all?
it depends.Bystander said:How much shielding is required to "protect" you from each of the types of radiation?
DEvens said:Beta particles, at least for common energies from radioactive decay, are stopped by very thin shielding. Most of the time they will be stopped by your clothes or even by the outer dead layer of your skin.
DEvens said:Gamma rays have much more penetrating power
i read it, but through a pipe, won't both radiation be equally inappropriate?DEvens said:Dude! Why are you carefully ignoring my post?
To solve a radioactive decay problem using C as the answer, you will need to use the following equation: N(t) = N₀e^(-λt). N(t) represents the amount of the substance remaining after a certain amount of time, N₀ is the initial amount of the substance, λ is the decay constant, and t is the time elapsed. You will also need to know the half-life of the substance in question.
The decay constant, represented by the Greek letter λ (lambda), is a value that indicates the rate at which a substance decays. It is a characteristic property of each radioactive isotope and is used to calculate the amount of a substance that remains after a certain amount of time has passed.
The half-life of a substance is the amount of time it takes for half of the initial amount of the substance to decay. This is a constant value for a specific radioactive isotope and is used in the calculation of the amount of a substance remaining after a certain amount of time has passed.
The initial amount of a substance, represented by N₀ in the equation N(t) = N₀e^(-λt), can be determined by using the information given in the problem. This could be the mass of the substance, the number of atoms, or the activity of the substance. Once you have the initial amount, you can use the decay constant and the half-life to calculate the amount remaining after a certain amount of time has passed.
Yes, the equation N(t) = N₀e^(-λt) can be used for all radioactive decay problems as long as you have the necessary information, such as the initial amount, decay constant, and half-life. However, keep in mind that different isotopes have different decay constants and half-lives, so the values used in the equation will vary depending on the substance in question.