Question: A certain radionuclide is being manufactured in a cyclotron at a constant rate R. It is also decaying with disintegration constant . Assume that the

A certain radionuclide is being manufactured in a cyclotron at a constant rate R. It is also decaying with disintegration constant λ. Assume that the production process has been going on for a time that is much longer than the half-life of the radionuclide.

(a) Show that the number of radioactive nuclei present after such time remains constant and is given by N = R/λ).

(b) Now show that this result holds no matter how many radioactive nuclei were present initially. The nuclide is said to be in secular equilibrium with its source; in this state its decay rate is just equal to its production rate.

Step by Step Solution

3.48 Rating (165 Votes )

There are 3 Steps involved in it

1 Expert Approved Answer
Step: 1 Unlock

If N is the number of undecayed nuclei present at time t then ... View full answer

blur-text-image
Question Has Been Solved by an Expert!

Get step-by-step solutions from verified subject matter experts

Step: 2 Unlock
Step: 3 Unlock

Document Format (1 attachment)

Word file Icon

2-P-M-P-N-P (224).docx

120 KBs Word File

Students Have Also Explored These Related Modern Physics Questions!