An unstable isotope of cobalt, 60Co, has one more neutron in its nucleus than the stable 59Co and is a beta emitter with a half-life of 5.30 years. This isotope is widely used in medicine. A certain radiation source in a hospital contains 4.20×10−2g of 60Co A) What is the decay constant for that isotope? Express your answer with the appropriate units.  B) How many atoms are in the source? C) How many decays occur per second? Express your answer as a number of decays per second. D) What is the activity of the source, in curies? Express your answer in curies.

Modern Physics
3rd Edition
ISBN:9781111794378
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Clement J. Moses, Curt A. Moyer
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Clement J. Moses, Curt A. Moyer
Chapter13: Nuclear Structure
Section: Chapter Questions
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An unstable isotope of cobalt, 60Co, has one more neutron in its nucleus than the stable 59Co and is a beta emitter with a half-life of 5.30 years. This isotope is widely used in medicine. A certain radiation source in a hospital contains 4.20×10−2g of 60Co

A) What is the decay constant for that isotope? Express your answer with the appropriate units. 

B) How many atoms are in the source?

C) How many decays occur per second? Express your answer as a number of decays per second.

D) What is the activity of the source, in curies? Express your answer in curies.
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