Chapter 20, Problem 20.58QP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The decay constant (in unit of /s) of plutonium-238 has to be determined.

Concept introduction:

The decay constant (k) is independent of the quantity of radioactive material however depends only on the character of the nuclide. Various nuclides have various decay constants. The degree of radioactive decay depends on the decay constant and number of radioactive nuclei at specific time ( ${\text{N}}_{\text{t}}$). The rate of decay is directly proportional to the number of radioactive nuclei in a given sample; it is expressed mathematically as,

${\text{Rate = kN}}_{\text{t}}$