The count rate from a radioactive specimen was recorded as follows: Time (s): 0, 10,…

PHYSICS · Single correct · A Level · Physics · Nuclear physics · Nuclear physics

Problem

The count rate from a radioactive specimen was recorded as follows: Time tt (s): 0, 10, 20, 30 Count rate (cps): 8000, 5940, 4410, 3280 Assuming the count rate is proportional to the number of undecayed nuclei, estimate the decay constant λ\lambda of the isotope. (a) 0.015 s−10.015\,\text{s}^{-1} (b) 0.026 s−10.026\,\text{s}^{-1} (c) 0.030 s−10.030\,\text{s}^{-1} (d) 0.069 s−10.069\,\text{s}^{-1}

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