Exponential Decay Flashcards
1
Q
Exponential
A
Inc or dec by a set ratio
2
Q
Half life
A
Number of radio active atoms has decreased by half or the number of decays per second has decreased by half.
3
Q
Activity
A
Number of decays per second for a sample.
Measured in Becquerels Bq
4
Q
Decay constant
A
Probability of a single nucleus decaying in one second
5
Q
Capacitor
A
A component in a circuit which stores electric charge
6
Q
Capacitance
A
Amount of charge stored per volt
7
Q
Carbon dating
A
- carbon 14 has a half life of 5600years
- cosmic rays enter the earths atmosphere and collide with an atom, creating an energetic neutron.
- neutron collides with a nitrogen atom, nitrogen 14 turns into carbon 14.
- plants absorb carbon dioxide and incorporate carbon 14 through photosynthesis.
- animals eat plants and take in carbon 14.
- following death and burial, wood and bones loose carbon 14 as it turns into nitrogen 14 by beta decay
