Nuclear Decay question without knowing N0 or N ?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a nuclear decay problem involving an americium (Am) sample emitting alpha particles. The original poster is tasked with determining the activity of the sample after 8 years, given its initial activity and half-life, as well as calculating the number of nuclei present at two different times without knowing the initial or final number of nuclei.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the activity after 8 years and questions whether their result is correct. They also seek a method to find the number of nuclei at two different points in time without having the initial or final values. Some participants provide equations related to activity and decay but do not clarify how to connect these to the number of nuclei.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different equations related to nuclear decay. While some guidance has been offered regarding the relationships between activity and the number of nuclei, there is no consensus on how to proceed with the calculations or how to apply the provided equations effectively.

Contextual Notes

The original poster expresses uncertainty about the calculations due to the lack of known values for the initial and final number of nuclei, which is a critical aspect of the problem. This constraint is central to the discussion.

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Nuclear Decay question without knowing N0 or N ??

Homework Statement


Ok so what I have an Am sample which emits alpha particles at a rate of 70Bq in 1997 and asks for the activity 8 years later (the half life of Am being 432.2 years) I found this to be 69.108 Bq, first of all does this sound right?


Secondly it asks for the number of nuclei both in 1997 AND 8 years later in 2005 - I have no idea to do this, is there an equation that relates the initial and final nuclei number without knowing either?


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
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<br /> A(t) = A_0 \, \exp(-\lambda \, t)<br />

A is activity and is measured in bequerel (1 \, \mathrm{Bq} = 1 \, \mathrm{s}^{-1})
 


Also, A(t) = λN(t)
 


Yeah I sort of understand that it's just I don't know how to apply my answer for activity to find the nuclei number before and after
 


see post #3.
 

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