1. What is Nuclear Decay Activity?

The activity of a radioactive substance is the number of decays per unit time. For uranium and other radioactive materials, it's calculated using the decay constant and the number of radioactive atoms present.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the decay activity equation:

Where:

• \( A \) — Activity (decays per second)
• \( \lambda \) — Decay constant (probability of decay per second)
• \( N \) — Number of radioactive atoms

Explanation: The equation shows that activity is directly proportional to both the decay constant and the number of radioactive atoms present.

3. Importance of Decay Calculation

Details: Calculating decay activity is crucial for nuclear physics, radiation safety, radiometric dating, and medical applications of radioactive materials.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the decay constant in 1/s and the number of atoms. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the relationship between half-life and decay constant?
A: The decay constant (λ) is related to half-life (t₁/₂) by: λ = ln(2)/t₁/₂.

Q2: What are typical units for activity?
A: The SI unit is becquerel (Bq, decays/s). The traditional unit is curie (Ci, 3.7×10¹⁰ decays/s).

Q3: How does activity change over time?
A: Activity decreases exponentially as A(t) = A₀e^(-λt), where A₀ is initial activity.

Q4: What affects the decay constant?
A: The decay constant is intrinsic to each radioactive isotope and is not affected by external conditions.

Q5: Can this calculator be used for any radioactive element?
A: Yes, as long as you know the decay constant and number of atoms, it works for any radioactive isotope.