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Activity & The Decay Constant (CIE A Level Physics)

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Activity & the decay constant

  • Since radioactive decay is spontaneous and random, it is useful to consider the average number of nuclei which are expected to decay per unit time
    • This is known as the average decay rate

  • As a result, each radioactive element can be assigned a decay constant
  • The decay constant λ is defined as:

The probability that an individual nucleus will decay per unit of time

  • When a sample is highly radioactive, this means the number of decays per unit time is very high
    • This suggests it has a high level of activity

  • Activity, or the number of decays per unit time can be calculated using:

A space equals space fraction numerator increment N over denominator increment t end fraction space equals space minus lambda N

  • Where:
    • A = activity of the sample (Bq)
    • ΔN = number of decayed nuclei
    • Δt = time interval (s)
    • λ = decay constant (s-1)
    • N = number of nuclei remaining in a sample

  • The activity of a sample is measured in Becquerels (Bq)
    • An activity of 1 Bq is equal to one decay per second, or 1 s-1

  • This equation shows:
    • The greater the decay constant, the greater the activity of the sample
    • The activity depends on the number of undecayed nuclei remaining in the sample
    • The minus sign indicates that the number of nuclei remaining decreases with time - however, for calculations it can be omitted

Worked example

Americium-241 is an artificially produced radioactive element that emits α-particles. A sample of americium-241 of mass 5.1 μg is found to have an activity of 5.9 × 105 Bq.

(a)
Determine the number of nuclei in the sample of americium-241.
(b)
Determine the decay constant of americium-241.
 

Answer: 

(a)

Step 1: Write down the known quantities

  • Mass = 5.1 μg = 5.1 × 10-6 g
  • Molecular mass of americium = 241
  • NA = Avogadro constant

Step 2: Write down the equation relating number of nuclei, mass and molecular mass

Number space of space nuclei space equals space fraction numerator mass space cross times space straight N subscript straight A over denominator molecular space mass end fraction

Step 3: Calculate the number of nuclei

Number space of space nuclei space equals space fraction numerator open parentheses 5.1 cross times 10 to the power of negative 6 end exponent close parentheses space cross times space open parentheses 6.02 cross times 10 to the power of 23 close parentheses over denominator 241 end fraction

(b)

Step 1: Write the equation for activity

Activity, A = λN

Step 2: Rearrange for decay constant λ and calculate the answer

lambda space equals space A over N space equals space fraction numerator 5.9 space cross times 10 to the power of 5 over denominator 1.27 space cross times 10 to the power of 16 end fraction space equals space 4.65 space cross times space 10 to the power of negative 11 end exponent space straight s to the power of negative 1 end exponent space

The exponential nature of radioactive decay

  • In radioactive decay, the number of nuclei falls very rapidly, without ever reaching zero
    • Such a model is known as exponential decay
  • The graph of the number of undecayed nuclei against time has a very distinctive shape

Graph of undecayed nuclei against time

Exponential Decay Graph, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

Radioactive decay follows an exponential pattern. The graph shows three different isotopes each with a different rate of decay

  • The key features of this graph are:
    • The steeper the slope, the larger the decay constant λ (and vice versa)
    • The decay curves always start on the y-axis at the initial number of undecayed nuclei (N0)

Equations for radioactive decay

  • The number of undecayed nuclei N can be represented in exponential form by the equation:

N = N0eλt

  • Where:
    • N0 = the initial number of undecayed nuclei (when t = 0)
    • N = number of undecayed nuclei at a certain time t
    • λ = decay constant (s-1)
    • t = time interval (s)

  • The number of nuclei can be substituted for other quantities.
  • For example, the activity A is directly proportional to N, so it can also be represented in exponential form by the equation:

A = A0eλt

  • Where:
    • A = activity at a certain time t (Bq)
    • A0 = initial activity (Bq)
  • The received count rate C is related to the activity of the sample, hence it can also be represented in exponential form by the equation:

C = C0eλt

  • Where:
    • C = count rate at a certain time t (counts per minute or cpm)
    • C0 = initial count rate (counts per minute or cpm)

The exponential function e

  • The symbol e represents the exponential constant
    • It is approximately equal to e = 2.718
  • On a calculator it is shown by the button ex
  • The inverse function of ex is ln(y), known as the natural logarithmic function
    • This is because, if ex = y, then x = ln(y)

Worked example

Strontium-90 decays with the emission of a β-particle to form Yttrium-90. The decay constant of Strontium-90 is 0.025 year-1.

Determine the activity of the sample after 5.0 years, expressing the answer as a fraction of the initial activity A0

Answer:

Step 1: Write out the known quantities

  • Decay constant, λ = 0.025 year-1
  • Time interval, t = 5.0 years

Both quantities have the same unit, so there is no need for conversion

Step 2: Write the equation for activity in exponential form

A = A0eλt

Step 3: Rearrange the equation for the ratio between A and A0

A over A subscript 0 space equals space e to the power of negative lambda t end exponent

Step 4: Calculate the ratio A/A0

A over A subscript 0 space equals space e to the power of negative open parentheses 0.025 space cross times space 5 close parentheses end exponent space equals space 0.88

  • Therefore, the activity of Strontium-90 decreases by a factor of 0.88, or 12%, after 5 years

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Leander

Author: Leander

Expertise: Physics

Leander graduated with First-class honours in Science and Education from Sheffield Hallam University. She won the prestigious Lord Robert Winston Solomon Lipson Prize in recognition of her dedication to science and teaching excellence. After teaching and tutoring both science and maths students, Leander now brings this passion for helping young people reach their potential to her work at SME.