Decay constant what is it

It is not possible to combine decay constants in a simple way. For example, the most common isotope of uranium, U , has a decay constant of 1. For 33 Resources. Here, the key idea is the random nature of the decay. Avoid simply pulling pull equations out of the air — at least make them Lesson The rate of decay of a radioactive source is proportional to the number of radioactive atoms N which are present.

Don't have an account? Sign in via your Institution. You could not be signed in, please check and try again. Sign in with your library card Please enter your library card number. Related Content Related Overviews decay curve radioactive decay radioactivity nucleus See all related overviews in Oxford Reference ». Show Summary Details Overview decay constant. All rights reserved. Sign in to annotate. Delete Cancel Save. Cancel Save. Decay Constant and Radioactivity The relationship between half-life and the amount of a radionuclide required to give an activity of one curie is shown in the figure.

Example — Calculation of Radioactivity A sample of material contains 1 mikrogram of iodine Calculate: The number of iodine atoms initially present. The activity of the iodine in curies. The number of iodine atoms that will remain in 50 days. The time it will take for the activity to reach 0.

Solution: The number of atoms of iodine can be determined using isotopic mass as below. Radiation Protection: Knoll, Glenn F. ISBN Stabin, Michael G. Martin, James E. January Nuclear and Reactor Physics: J. Lamarsh, Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Theory, 2nd ed. Lamarsh, A. Baratta, Introduction to Nuclear Engineering, 3d ed. Glasstone, Sesonske. Nuclear and Particle Physics. Physics of Nuclear Kinetics.