Decay Rates ,Radioactivity ,Half life easy question

  • Thread starter Thread starter helpcometk
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Decay Life
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the decay rates and activities of radioactive isotopes, specifically Iodine-131 and Cesium-137, following the Chernobyl nuclear accident. The original poster presents a problem involving the calculation of activity ratios and the time until activities equalize, alongside considerations of reactor power and fission rates.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between the production of I-131 and the total fissions in the reactor, questioning how to derive initial activity from reactor power. There are attempts to clarify the equations related to decay rates and activities, as well as the implications of the reactor's power output on the calculations.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered guidance on how to approach the calculations, particularly regarding the steady state of I-131 production and its relationship to decay rates. However, there appears to be confusion among participants about the application of these concepts to the specific questions posed, indicating an ongoing exploration of the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the challenge of interpreting the statement regarding the production of I-131 from fissions, and there is a mention of the need for clarity on the equations related to power and decay. The original poster expresses uncertainty about their understanding of the problem's requirements.

helpcometk
Messages
71
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


The radioactive nuclides released into the atmosphere by the Chernobyl nuclear accident
in 1986 included both 131I (t 1/2= 8 days) and 137Cs (t 1/2= 30 years). Given that 5 times as
many 137 Cs as 131 I are present in the reactor in steady state, and that 131 I is produced in
roughly 1% of all fissions, calculate
(a) the ratio of activities ACs/AI immediately following the explosion.
(b) how many days before the activities are equal.
(c) Given that the Chernobyl reactor produced 1000MW of power, estimate AI 4 days
after the explosion.

Homework Equations


it would take me considerable amount of effort to find what means 1% of all fissions produce I 131 .

The Attempt at a Solution

it is A level to find that λ= ln2/ (t1/2) and A= λΝ as is probably the whole exercise.
which gives Acs/AI easily since 5NI =Ncs is given,

b) N=No e^-λt should suffice

c) maybe among the other equations P=Po e^-λt has to be used once the power has been found 4 days after the accident , some other equation must be used to find AI ,note that AI initial is not given ,but only as a function of Acs.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
AI initial can be calculated given the reactor power level and the fact that "131 I is produced in roughly 1% of all fissions". I suggest you put in the "considerable amount of effort" to figure out what that statement means.
 
Ok
What about the other questions.Does anyone know the equation for power?
 
Think of it this way. If the reactor is operating at a certain power level, there are a certain number of fissions/sec, which you should be able to calculate if you know how much energy is released in each fission. The problem tells you what fraction of the fission events produce I-131, so you should be able to calculate the production rate of I-131. In steady state, the production rate equals the decay rate, so you should be able to calculate the steady state activity of I-131. Does this help?
 
im afraid this confused me even more .Am i thinking correct for a) and b) ?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
7K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K