Chapter 21, Problem 88AE

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The disintegrations per second does the level of activity imply are to be calculated. Also, the number of rads and rems of radiation in 1 yr from a level of plutonium are to be calculated.

Concept introduction: The isotopes of plutonium undergo radioactive decay and produce heat. The activity of a sample is defined as the rate of decay of unstable nuclei per second. The activity is measured in a unit of Becquerel which is equal to the disintegration per second. The old unit of activity was curie $\text{Ci}$ .

To determine: The disintegrations per second and the number of rads and rems of radiation in 1 yr from a level of plutonium.