Explain the half life - Nuclear Physics, Physics

Assignment Help:

Explain the Half-Life

The decay of a nucleus is a random event.  It is not possible to predict which nucleus will decay and when.  Even though over a period of time, the decay rate is constant that permits us to predict when a given fraction of the sample has decayed.

The half-life is the amount of time it takes for half of a chunk of radioactive isotope to go through radioactive decay.  It is generally represented by the symbol t½ .

The half-life of germanium-69 is 36 hours.  If we begin with n atoms of 6932Ge, then at the end of 36 hours we will comprise n/2 (half) of the atoms of 6932Ge left.  The rest of the atoms will have altered into another element or isotope. At the end of the next 36 hours (that is 72 hours from the starting point) there will be n/4 atoms of 6932Ge left.  After other 36 hours have passed (108 hours from the beginning) there will be n/8 6932Ge atoms.  Observe the trend?  After every half-life we have half of the preceding amount.


Related Discussions:- Explain the half life - Nuclear Physics

When is it best to switch on the auxiliary engine, A rocket is intended to ...

A rocket is intended to leave the Earth's gravitational ?eld. The fuel in its key engine is a little less than the amount that is essential, and an auxiliary engine, only capa

State laws of motion, 1. Every object in a state of uniform motion tends to...

1. Every object in a state of uniform motion tends to remain in that state of motion unless an external force is applied to it. II. The relationship between an object''s mass m,

What colour of light is the alteration in direction red, A ray of white lig...

A ray of white light in air passes by a glass plate. Refraction takes place. The direction in which the light is travelling changes. For what colour of light is the alteration in d

Optical coherence tomography, Assume we place a screen with two parallel sl...

Assume we place a screen with two parallel slits right in front of a lens (with focal distance f ), and illuminate with light (at wavelength λ) from far away. (a) What will be the

What is described by millikan experiment?, The Millikan experiment showed t...

The Millikan experiment showed that electric charge was: a) Negative b) Quantized c) Positive d) Immeasurable Ans: The Millikan experiment showed that elec

A quarter of wavelength is equal to how many phase degrees, A quarter of a ...

A quarter of a wavelength is equal to how many degrees of phase? A quarter of wavelength is equaivalent to 90 degrees of phase.

Find time needed for a net force to change the velocity, The time needed fo...

The time needed for a net force of 10 newtons to change the velocity of a 5 kilograms mass by 3 meters/second is: a) 1.5 seconds b) 6 seconds c) 16.7 seconds d

Find the minimum wavelength of a bremsstrahlung photon, a. Consider an x-ra...

a. Consider an x-ray machine with a step-up transformer consisting of a primary coil of 100 turns and a secondary one with 50000 turns. If the voltage applied across the primary co

Define core type transformers, Core type Transformers: In this type of ...

Core type Transformers: In this type of transformer the windings enclose the core (fig. given below). Both the windings are divided and half of every winding is placed on eac

Rolling disc, Rolling Disc Imagine a rectangular tray lying flat on a ...

Rolling Disc Imagine a rectangular tray lying flat on a horizontal table. Suppose in which the tray has vertical sides, and this a plate (or disc) lies flat on the table and r

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd