Half-Life Flashcards
Determination of the half-life of a model radioactive source, e.g. using dice.
Count the cubes to ensure that you have 50 and put them into the margarine tub. Shake the tub and gently throw the cubes into the plastic tray. Record the number of cubes that have landed with the shaded face upwards and remove from the tray [These represent the radioactive atoms that have decayed.] Put the cubes remaining in the tray back into the margarine tub. [These represent the radioactive atoms that have NOT yet decayed]. Repeat steps 2 and 3 another 9 times.
Monitoring thickness of aliminium sheet in a factory
Isotope: Strontium
Fewer Beta particles will pass through when the thickness of the aliminium increases. This half life is fairly long so the source will last a reasonable amount of time
Medical tracer
Monitoring internal organs by using a camera outside the body
Isotope: Technetium
Gamma emitter. Passes out of the body easily. Half life is shprt so it will not remain in the body for along time
