PHYSICAClass 12 Physics simulations · Nuclei
Activity of a radioactive sample
Pick an isotope and a sample mass. Count the atoms and calculate how many decay each second.
What to notice
A milligram of a short-lived isotope can be far more active than a kilogram of a long-lived one.
Key relation
A = λN = (ln 2 / T½) × (m/M) N_A
Try this
Compare 1 mg of iodine-131 with 1 mg of carbon-14.
What you can change
- Isotope: choose Iodine-131 (8.02 d), Cobalt-60 (5.27 y), Caesium-137 (30.1 y), Radium-226 (1600 y), Carbon-14 (5730 y)
- Sample mass (log₁₀ mg): -3 to 3
- Time elapsed: 0 to 100 years
More in Nuclei
- Alpha decay and nuclear recoil
- Binding energy per nucleon
- Neutron multiplication in fission
- Energy from nuclear fusion
- Mass defect and binding energy
- Radioactive decay
- Size and density of nuclei
- Radiometric dating
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