Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 42 - Nuclear Physics - Exercises and Problems - Page 1275: 47

Answer

${\bf 2.73 \times 10^{17}}\;\rm particle$

Work Step by Step

We need to determine the total number of beta particles emitted after a sample of $ ^{137}\text{Cs} $ (Cesium-137) has fully decayed. So we need to calculate the total number of $ ^{137}\text{Cs} $ atoms originally present, which will tell us the total number of beta particles emitted by the time the sample has fully decayed. The decay constant $ r $ is given by $$ r = \frac{\ln(2)}{t_{_{1/2}}} $$ where the half-life $ t_{1/2} $ of $ ^{137}\text{Cs} $ is 30 years $$ r = \frac{\ln(2)}{ 30\times 365\times 24\times 3600} $$ $$ r =\bf 7.33 \times 10^{-10} \, \rm {s}^{-1} $$ Now we need to calculate the Initial Number of Atoms $ N_0 $. Recalling that $$ R_0 = r N_0 $$ where the initial activity $ R_0 $ is related to the decay rate $ r $ and the initial number of atoms $ N_0 $ by this formula. Solve for $ N_0 $: $$ N_0 = \frac{R_0}{r} $$ where the initial activity $ R_0 $ of the cesium sample is $ 2.0 \times 10^8 \, \text{Bq} $ $$ N_0 = \frac{2.0 \times 10^8 }{7.33 \times 10^{-10} }=\bf 2.73 \times 10^{17} \, \rm {atom} $$ Since each $ ^{137}\text{Cs} $ atom decays by emitting one beta particle, the total number of beta particles emitted over time (when the sample has fully decayed) will equal the initial number of atoms. Thus, $$ N_{\alpha} = N_0 = \color{red}{\bf 2.73 \times 10^{17}}\;\rm particle $$
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