AP Physics 2 : Quantum and Nuclear Physics

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Physics 2

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Example Questions

Example Question #31 : Radioactive Nuclear Decay

A new element is discovered named Banfordium. A test is run on a sample and finds it has an activity of . Three years later, the same sample has an activity of .

Determine the half-life of Banfordium.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Calculate the decay constant:

Solve for

Plug in values:

Use the following relationship:

Plugging in values

Example Question #32 : Radioactive Nuclear Decay

A new element is discovered named Banfordium.  A test is run on a sample and finds it has an activity of . Three years later, the same sample has an activity of .

Determine the number of Banfordium nuclei in a sample of activity

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Calculate the decay constant:

Solve for

 

Plug in values

Convert to

Use the following relationship:

Plug in values and solve:

Example Question #41 : Atomic And Nuclear Physics

A new element is discovered named Banfordium.  A test is run on a sample and finds it has an activity of . Three years later, the same sample has an activity of .

Determine the activity of the sample 10 years after the initial test.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Calculate the decay constant

Using

Solve for

 

Plug in values:

Use the following relationship:

Plug in values:

Example Question #34 : Radioactive Nuclear Decay

A sample of radioactive iodine is found to have decreased over time. After  days,  of radioactive iodine is found. Given that the half-life of radioactive iodine is  days, how much radioactive iodine was there initially?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In this question, we're presented with a case in which a certain amount of radioactive iodine has decayed in a given amount of time. Based on the half-life, the amount of time that has passed, and the current amount of radioactive iodine, we're asked to solve for the initial amount of iodine.

First off, it's important to realize that this is a radioactive decay problem. All radioactive decay processes occur by a first-order reaction mechanism. Thus, we can go ahead and use the equation for first-order reactions:

Rearranging to isolate the  term, we obtain:

But before we start plugging in values, we'll need to calculate the  term, which is the reaction rate constant. We can do this because we know that the reaction is first-order, and we're also provided with the half-life. Using the rate constant equation for a first-order reaction:

Next, we can plug in the values given to us in order to solve for our answer:

Example Question #35 : Radioactive Nuclear Decay

The half life of is . Determine the radioactive decay constant.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Use the following formula:

 

Plug in values:

Example Question #36 : Radioactive Nuclear Decay

The half life of is . Determine the number of radioactive nuclei in a sample with an activity of .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Use the following formula:

Plug in values:

Covert to

Use the relationship:

Plug in values:

Example Question #37 : Radioactive Nuclear Decay

A sample is taken of a radioactive element. It has an activity of . Two hours later, it has an activity of .

Determine the nuclear decay constant in terms of .

Possible Answers:

None of these

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Determination of decay constant:

Solving for

Converting hours to minutes and plugging in values:

Example Question #38 : Radioactive Nuclear Decay

A sample is taken of a radioactive element. It has an activity of . Two hours later, it has an activity of .

Determine the half life.

Possible Answers:

None of these

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Determination of decay constant:

Solving for

Converting hours to minutes and plugging in values:

Using

Example Question #39 : Radioactive Nuclear Decay

A sample is taken of a radioactive element. It has an activity of . Two hours later, it has an activity of .

 Determine the activity 30 minutes after the initial reading.

Possible Answers:

None of these

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Determination of decay constant:

Solving for

Converting hours to minutes and plugging in values:

Again using

Example Question #40 : Radioactive Nuclear Decay

A sample is taken of a radioactive element. It has an activity of . Two hours later, it has an activity of .

Determine the number of radioactive atoms in the initial sample.

Possible Answers:

None of these

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Determination of decay constant:

Solving for

Converting hours to seconds and plugging in values:

Using

Plugging in values:

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