All Problems

Radioactivity

Problem 6.228

A \(P^{32}\) radionuclide with half-life \(T=14.3\) days is produced in a reactor at a constant rate \(q=2.7 \cdot 10^{9}\) nuclei per second. How soon after the beginning of production of that radionuclide will its activity be equal to \(A=1.0 \cdot 10^{9} \mathrm{dis} / \mathrm{s} ?\)

Reveal Answer
t=(T/ln2)ln(1A/q)=9.5 days. t=-(T / \ln 2) \ln (1-A / q)=9.5 \text { days. }