The Half-Life of a Radioisotope
The Half-Life of a Radioisotope
CHM 152
Abstract:
The half-life of an unknown radioactive isotope was investigated. The activity of the samples through use of a Geiger-Muller counter. The activity was measured for approximately five minutes per sample, and a half-life was calculated by the unknown. The results were calculated to indicate a half-life of 6.65 days of the unknown radioisotope.
Introduction:
The half-life of a radioisotope is defined as the amount of time necessary for one-half of the quantity of nuclide to decay and be converted into another elements. The conversions involve either alpha or beta particle release and the reaction can be followed by measuring the number of particles given off. A nuclear scaler was used to measure the amount of radiation evolved and graphical interpretations did allow calculation of the half-life.
Experimental: The counter was measured in the background Beta-radiation count for five minutes. The readings were recorded in the prepared table. The activity of the standard Beta-emitter was recorded and measured for five minutes. The activity of the unknown Beta-emitter was recorded and measured for five minutes. The activity of the standard for the background radiation. Subtracted the background counts from the counts from the counts registered with the standard was corrected. The activity of the unknown for background radiation was corrected. The steps 2-6 were repeated three times per week over a six week period. The same counter was used with the same standard, and the standard and unknown samples in the same orientation, for each measurement.
Calculations:
Corrected activity Standard:
=background – standard Days | Background | Standard | Difference | 0 | 418 | 324515 | 324097 | 3 | 396 | 324434 | 324038 | 6 | 422 | 324792 | 324370 | 9 | 501 | 324338 | 323837 | 12 | 374 | 323891 | 323517 | 15 | 364 | 325521 | 325157 | 18 | 409 | 323775 | 323366 | 21 | 592 | 324773 | 324181 | 24
CHM 152
Abstract:
The half-life of an unknown radioactive isotope was investigated. The activity of the samples through use of a Geiger-Muller counter. The activity was measured for approximately five minutes per sample, and a half-life was calculated by the unknown. The results were calculated to indicate a half-life of 6.65 days of the unknown radioisotope.
Introduction:
The half-life of a radioisotope is defined as the amount of time necessary for one-half of the quantity of nuclide to decay and be converted into another elements. The conversions involve either alpha or beta particle release and the reaction can be followed by measuring the number of particles given off. A nuclear scaler was used to measure the amount of radiation evolved and graphical interpretations did allow calculation of the half-life.
Experimental: The counter was measured in the background Beta-radiation count for five minutes. The readings were recorded in the prepared table. The activity of the standard Beta-emitter was recorded and measured for five minutes. The activity of the unknown Beta-emitter was recorded and measured for five minutes. The activity of the standard for the background radiation. Subtracted the background counts from the counts from the counts registered with the standard was corrected. The activity of the unknown for background radiation was corrected. The steps 2-6 were repeated three times per week over a six week period. The same counter was used with the same standard, and the standard and unknown samples in the same orientation, for each measurement.
Calculations:
Corrected activity Standard:
=background – standard Days | Background | Standard | Difference | 0 | 418 | 324515 | 324097 | 3 | 396 | 324434 | 324038 | 6 | 422 | 324792 | 324370 | 9 | 501 | 324338 | 323837 | 12 | 374 | 323891 | 323517 | 15 | 364 | 325521 | 325157 | 18 | 409 | 323775 | 323366 | 21 | 592 | 324773 | 324181 | 24