Linear attenuation coefficient

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To determine the thickness of a foil made from absorber II that provides the same absorption as a 1mm thick foil made from absorber I for X-rays with an energy of 5X10^6, the linear attenuation coefficients of the two absorbers are crucial. Absorber I has a coefficient of 0.4, while absorber II has a coefficient of 0.2. The relationship I/I0 = e^(-ax) indicates that if the attenuation coefficient is halved, the thickness must be doubled to maintain the same intensity. Therefore, the calculated thickness for absorber II is 2mm. This conclusion aligns with the principle that a lower attenuation coefficient requires a greater thickness to achieve equivalent absorption.
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Homework Statement


This i self study!
Hi, How thick should a foil made from absorber II be to give the same absoption as 1mm thick foil made from absorber I for xrays with energy 5X106


xray beam passing through an absorption material it is attenuated , this is given by

I/Io e-ax

io =initial intensity of the beam
i=intensity of beam from absorber taken as average amount of photons emerging from 1cm2
x=thickness of slab of absorbing material in cm-1
a=linear attenuation material
e=2.718

table photon energies 5X106
absorber 1 .4
absorber 2 .2

Homework Equations



linear attenuation coefficient=% reduced/thickness of absorber

The Attempt at a Solution



used logs to find x

tried to use linear attenuation coefficient
but really got stuck on what to do
 
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I/Io= e-ax
 
I/Io =e-ax
 
i go t an answer of 2mm because ax value where a is halved so x is doubled to keep same forumla
 
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