Rate of energy release by Polonium-210

AI Thread Summary
The discussion clarifies the calculation of power output from Polonium-210 using the formula P = Activity x Energy. Activity, measured in becquerels (Bq), represents the number of nuclei decaying per second, while energy refers to the energy released per decay in joules. The conversion from MeV to joules is achieved by multiplying by 1.6 × 10^-19. This results in the units aligning as watts, confirming that power is indeed the product of activity and energy. The explanation effectively connects the concepts of nuclear decay and energy release to power calculation.
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In the mark scheme they have done
P = (8×1013) × 5.3 ×106(1.6 × 10-19) = 67.8 W
I don't understand why they have done this?

How does Activity x Energy= Power ?
 
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"Activity" (in Bq) is the number of nuclei that decay per second.
"Energy" is defined as the energy per nucleus released. As defined in the answer here, the units after the conversion will be in joules (MeV * 1.6 × 10-19 = Joules).

Hence,
(number of nuclei / second)*(joules / number of nuclei) = (joules / second) = watts

Make sense?
 

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