Chapter 18: Problem 52
When using a Geiger-Müller counter to measure radioactivity, it is necessary to maintain the same geometrical orientation between the sample and the Geiger-Müller tube to compare different measurements. Why?
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Chapter 18: Problem 52
When using a Geiger-Müller counter to measure radioactivity, it is necessary to maintain the same geometrical orientation between the sample and the Geiger-Müller tube to compare different measurements. Why?
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Strontium-90 and radon-222 both pose serious health risks. \(^{90}\) \(\mathrm{Sr}\) decays by \(\beta\) -particle production and has a relatively long half-life (28.9 years). Radon-222 decays by \(\alpha\) -particle production and has a relatively short half-life (3.82 days). Explain why each decay process poses health risks.
Iodine-131 has a half-life of 8.0 days. How many days will it take for 174 g of \(^{131}\) I to decay to 83 g of \(^{131}\) I?
Scientists have estimated that the earth's crust was formed 4.3 billion years ago. The radioactive nuclide \(^{176} \mathrm{Lu},\) which decays to \(^{176} \mathrm{Hf}\), was used to estimate this age. The half-life of \(^{176} \mathrm{Lu}\) is 37 billion years. How are ratios of \(^{176} \mathrm{Lu}\) to \(^{176} \mathrm{Hf}\) utilized to date very old rocks?
To determine the \(K_{\mathrm{sp}}\) value of \(\mathrm{Hg}_{2} \mathrm{I}_{2},\) a chemist obtained a solid sample of \(\mathrm{Hg}_{2} \mathrm{I}_{2}\) in which some of the iodine is present as radioactive \(^{131}\) I. The count rate of the \(\mathrm{Hg}_{2} \mathrm{I}_{2}\) sample is \(5.0 \times 10^{11}\) counts per minute per mole of I. An excess amount of \(\mathrm{Hg}_{2} \mathrm{I}_{2}(s)\) is placed into some water, and the solid is allowed to come to equilibrium with its respective ions. A 150.0 -mL sample of the saturated solution is withdrawn and the radioactivity measured at 33 counts per minute. From this information, calculate the \(K_{\mathrm{sp}}\) value for \(\mathrm{Hg}_{2} \mathrm{I}_{2}\) $$\mathrm{Hg}_{22}(s) \rightleftharpoons \mathrm{Hg}_{2}^{2+}(a q)+2 \mathrm{I}^{-}(a q) \quad K_{\mathrm{sp}}=\left[\mathrm{Hg}_{2}^{2+}\right]\left[\mathrm{I}^{-}\right]^{2}$$
Breeder reactors are used to convert the nonfissionable nuclide \(\frac{238}{92} \mathrm{U}\) to a fissionable product. Neutron capture of the \(\frac{238}{92} \mathrm{U}\) is followed by two successive beta decays. What is the final fissionable product?
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