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The Co-60 radiation source was manufactured in January, 2016. If the counts/30s

ID: 524159 • Letter: T

Question

The Co-60 radiation source was manufactured in January, 2016. If the counts/30s for the Co-60 source at a distance of 0cm from the counter was 3,300 when new, calculate the approximate half-life for Co-60.
ln(Nt/No)=-k/t t1/2=0.693/k

When comparing my result to the actual half life of Co-60, I realize I have terribly messed up somewhere! Help!
Please show all steps in any math. Thank you!


Ill. Estimation of Source Half-Lives 1. The Co-60 radiation source was manufactured in January, 2016. lf the counts/30 s for the Co-60 source at a distance of 0 cm from the counter was 3,300 when new, calculate the approximate half-life for Co-60. O, 693 In (Nt/No) kt t1/2 0.693 k In 2002/330) -Kloso

Explanation / Answer

Data given:

At t=0, No = 3300

At t=30s, Nt = 2902

Putting values in the eqn:

ln(2902/3300) = -k*30

k = 0.004284

Next, putting this value in the following eqn:

t1/2 = 0.693/k

S, t1/2 = 0.693/0.004284 = 161.764 s = 2.696 minutes