The rate of radioactive decay follows first-order kinetics where the rate of decay is proportional to the number of radioactive nuclei (N) in the sample as expressed in Equation 6.1 where k is called the nuclear decay constant. Rate = kN (Equation 6.1) Equation 6.1 can be transformed into Equation 6.2 where No is the initial number of nuclei at initial time, time =0, and N. is the number of nuclei after time a certain time interval, t. Nt In = -kt (Equation 6.2) No A more useful way of determining the rate of radioactive decay is by determining the half- life of a radioisotope. Half-life (t1/2) is the time required for half of any given quantity of radioactive substance to decay. Each radioisotope has a characteristic half-life. For example, cobalt-60 which is used for cancer radiation therapy has a half-life of 5.3 years. So for a 1.00 g sample of cobalt-60 it will take 5.3 years before its amount is reduced to 0.500 g and 10.6 yrs to 0.250g and so on and so forth. Equation 6.3 gives the general equation for the half-life of any radioactive substance while Equation 6.4 the general formula in calculating the amount of remaining substance after n half-lives. t1/2 = (Equation 6.3) 0.693 k Nt= (1/2) No (Equation 6.4)

Chemistry
10th Edition
ISBN:9781305957404
Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Chapter1: Chemical Foundations
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: Define and explain the differences between the following terms. a. law and theory b. theory and...
icon
Related questions
Question

Please show your solution on a paper using the formulas on the picture. Thank you so much!

Question:

 

The rate of radioactive decay follows first-order kinetics where the rate of decay is
proportional to the number of radioactive nuclei (N) in the sample as expressed in Equation 6.1
where k is called the nuclear decay constant.
Rate = kN (Equation 6.1)
Equation 6.1 can be transformed into Equation 6.2 where No is the initial number of nuclei at initial
time, time =0, and N₁ is the number of nuclei after time a certain time interval, t.
In = -kt (Equation 6.2)
Nt
No
A more useful way of determining the rate of radioactive decay is by determining the half-
life of a radioisotope. Half-life (t₁/2) is the time required for half of any given quantity of radioactive
substance to decay. Each radioisotope has a characteristic half-life. For example, cobalt-60
which is used for cancer radiation therapy has a half-life of 5.3 years. So for a 1.00 g sample of
cobalt-60 it will take 5.3 years before its amount is reduced to 0.500 g and 10.6 yrs to 0.250g and
so on and so forth. Equation 6.3 gives the general equation for the half-life of any radioactive
substance while Equation 6.4 is the general formula in calculating the amount of remaining
substance after n half-lives.
0.693
t1/2 =
(Equation 6.3)
Nt= (1/2) No (Equation 6.4)
Transcribed Image Text:The rate of radioactive decay follows first-order kinetics where the rate of decay is proportional to the number of radioactive nuclei (N) in the sample as expressed in Equation 6.1 where k is called the nuclear decay constant. Rate = kN (Equation 6.1) Equation 6.1 can be transformed into Equation 6.2 where No is the initial number of nuclei at initial time, time =0, and N₁ is the number of nuclei after time a certain time interval, t. In = -kt (Equation 6.2) Nt No A more useful way of determining the rate of radioactive decay is by determining the half- life of a radioisotope. Half-life (t₁/2) is the time required for half of any given quantity of radioactive substance to decay. Each radioisotope has a characteristic half-life. For example, cobalt-60 which is used for cancer radiation therapy has a half-life of 5.3 years. So for a 1.00 g sample of cobalt-60 it will take 5.3 years before its amount is reduced to 0.500 g and 10.6 yrs to 0.250g and so on and so forth. Equation 6.3 gives the general equation for the half-life of any radioactive substance while Equation 6.4 is the general formula in calculating the amount of remaining substance after n half-lives. 0.693 t1/2 = (Equation 6.3) Nt= (1/2) No (Equation 6.4)
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 3 steps with 2 images

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Theories of Reaction Rates
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, chemistry and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Recommended textbooks for you
Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305957404
Author:
Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781259911156
Author:
Raymond Chang Dr., Jason Overby Professor
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Principles of Instrumental Analysis
Principles of Instrumental Analysis
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305577213
Author:
Douglas A. Skoog, F. James Holler, Stanley R. Crouch
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9780078021558
Author:
Janice Gorzynski Smith Dr.
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Chemistry: Principles and Reactions
Chemistry: Principles and Reactions
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305079373
Author:
William L. Masterton, Cecile N. Hurley
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, Bind…
Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, Bind…
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781118431221
Author:
Richard M. Felder, Ronald W. Rousseau, Lisa G. Bullard
Publisher:
WILEY