• In radioactive decay, the number of undecayed nuclei falls very rapidly, without ever reaching zero
  • Such a model is known as?exponential decay

   

• The graph of number of undecayed nuclei against time has a very distinctive shape:

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?=?N0?e–λt

• 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?=?A0?e–λt

• 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?=?C0?e–λt

• 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)

   

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?=?A0?e–λt

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

Step 4: Calculate the ratio?A/A0

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

Molar Mass

• The molar mass, or molecular mass, of a substance is the mass of a substance, in grams, in one mole
  • Its unit is?g mol-1

   

• The number of moles from this can be calculated using the equation:

Avogadro’s Constant

• Avogadro’s constant (NA) is defined as:

The number of atoms in one mole of a substance; equal to 6.02 × 1023?mol-1

• For example, 1 mole of sodium (Na) contains 6.02 × 1023?atoms?of sodium
• The number of atoms,?N, can be determined using the equation:

Part (a)

Step 1:?Write down the known quantities

• • Mass = 5.1 μg = 5.1 × 10-6?g
  • Molecular mass of americium = 241

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

• • where?NA?is the?Avogadro constant

Step 3: Calculate the number of nuclei

Part (b)

Step 1: Write down the known quantities

• • Activity,?A?= 5.9 × 105?Bq
  • Number of nuclei,?N?= 1.27 × 1016

   

Step 2:?Write the equation for activity

Activity,?A?= λN

Step 3: Rearrange for decay constant λ and calculate the answer

Part (c)

Step 1: Write down the known quantities

• • Activity,?A?= 5.9 × 105?Bq
  • Initial activity,?A0?= 6.1 × 105?Bq
  • Decay constant,?λ?= 4.65 × 10–11?s–1

   

Step 2: Write the equation for activity in exponential form

A?=?A0?e–λt

Step 3: Rearrange for time t

Step 4: Calculate the age of the smoke detector and convert to years

• • Therefore, the smoke detector is 22.7 years old