Gamma rays may be used to kill pathogens in ground beef. One irradiation facility uses a 60Co source that has an activity of 1.0×10^6Ci. 60Co undergoes beta decay and then gives off two gamma rays, at 1.17 and 1.33MeV; typically 30% of this gamma-ray energy is absorbed by the meat. The dose required to kill all pathogens present in the beef is 4000Gy. How many kilograms of meat per hour can be processed in this facility? Express your answer in kilograms per hour.
Radioactive decay
The emission of energy to produce ionizing radiation is known as radioactive decay. Alpha, beta particles, and gamma rays are examples of ionizing radiation that could be released. Radioactive decay happens in radionuclides, which are imbalanced atoms. This periodic table's elements come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Several of these kinds are stable like nitrogen-14, hydrogen-2, and potassium-40, whereas others are not like uranium-238. In nature, one of the most stable phases of an element is usually the most prevalent. Every element, meanwhile, has an unstable state. Unstable variants are radioactive and release ionizing radiation. Certain elements, including uranium, have no stable forms and are constantly radioactive. Radionuclides are elements that release ionizing radiation.
Artificial Radioactivity
The radioactivity can be simply referred to as particle emission from nuclei due to the nuclear instability. There are different types of radiation such as alpha, beta and gamma radiation. Along with these there are different types of decay as well.
Gamma rays may be used to kill pathogens in ground beef. One irradiation facility uses a 60Co source that has an activity of 1.0×10^6Ci. 60Co undergoes beta decay and then gives off two gamma rays, at 1.17 and 1.33MeV; typically 30% of this gamma-ray energy is absorbed by the meat. The dose required to kill all pathogens present in the beef is 4000Gy.
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