Assignment Instructions

Further Physics - Coursework 1

Assignment Instructions
Further Physics
Radioactive Decay

Set: 1st March 2024

Draft deadline: 8th March 2024
Submission deadline: 15th March 2024

Percentage of the overall mark for the module:

Computer Science 30%
Engineering 15%

Draft: You are encouraged to send your lecturer a draft copy of your coursework for
feedback and advice on how it might be improved. It should be done at least 1 week prior
to the deadline to give your lecturer sufficient time to get back to you and still leave
yourself time to make any changes to your coursework after getting feedback.

Submission:
You should submit your coursework via IFG Pharos.

Title page:
You must include a title page. It should contain the following information:
● Course name
● Assessment title
● Lecturer’s name
● Your name
● Date

Answer all questions given and provide detailed responses using sentences and
paragraphs (no bullet points) that meet the number of marks given. Your answers
should be typed and clearly labelled.

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 Assignment Instructions
Further Physics - Coursework 1

Introduction

Recall that atoms consist of positively charged nuclei, consisting of positively charged
protons and neutral neutrons, surrounded by one or more electrons. Protons and neutrons
are collectively called nucleons. Radioactive isotopes (radioisotopes) are atoms with
unstable nuclei. Many occur in nature, but some are so unstable that they are not often
found in nature and are manufactured artificially. Unstable nuclei can become more stable
by emitting one or more types of particle at a high speed in the process of radioactive
decay.

Nuclei may be unstable because they have too many neutrons, too many protons or too
many of both (in which case they are simply too large). Such nuclei may emit neutrons,
protons, alpha particles, beta particles or positrons. In a few cases, very heavy nuclei may
split apart by nuclear fission.

Nuclei may also be unstable because they are in an energized state, for example if they
have been newly manufactured in a nuclear reaction, in which case they may release the
excess energy by emitting it in the form of high energy photons called gamma-rays.

For example, helium-5 can decay into the more stable helium-4 by emitting a neutron:

5 4
2
𝐻𝑒 → 2
𝐻𝑒 + 𝑛

Note that 𝐻𝑒 is the atomic symbol for helium, an element which has 2 protons in its
nucleus (atomic number = 2, this is the lower of the two numbers). Helium-5 is
neutron-rich, with 3 neutrons in its nucleus (giving a mass number = number of protons +
number of neutrons = number of nucleons 5).

Note that after losing a neutron, the nucleus is left with 4 nucleons, 92 protons and 2
neutrons (as helium-4).

See if you can find examples of other types of radioactive decay.

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 Assignment Instructions
Further Physics - Coursework 1

Section A

In a population of say 1000 radioactive atoms of the same type, not all of them will likely
decay at the same time. There is a finite probability that each nucleus will decay in any
instant of time dt. This probability is given by: 𝑃 = λ𝑑𝑡, where λ (lambda) is the decay
constant (λ has units of s-1). The decay constant is an intrinsic property of the
radioisotope and is not affected by external factors such as temperature.

Look at the JavaScript app called ‘Radioactive’. This simulates the decay of 1000 atoms
of a radioisotope over time. Every second it gives us the number of radioisotopes
remaining undecayed. You must use this simulation to generate the data you use in
question 1.

Note that in addition to using the number of radioisotopes remaining, we could also
measure the activity of a sample. Activity is the number of radioactive events measured
each second in cps (counts per second) and uses detectors that measure the radioactive
particles produced. For example, Geiger counters measure ionizing radiation, such as
neutrons, alpha and beta particles, each such particle detected gives one count.

Run the simulation several times and record 3 successive simulations, showing the
number of radioisotopes remaining in our sample after each second.

Question 1
Calculate the mean of your 3 trials for each time point and plot a graph showing the mean
number of radioisotopes over time. The half-life is the average time taken for one-half of a
population of radioisotopes to decay. Estimate the half-life of our radioisotope from your
graph. Your graph will approximate exponential decay. What is meant by ‘exponential
decay’?

Section B

Radioactive decay is a stochastic process. A stochastic process is one which depends

on a series of probabilities, in this case the probability of each atom decaying in any given
interval of time. It is also an example of a particular type of stochastic process, called a
Markov chain, where the probability of decay at any instant of time is independent of what
has happened to the atom in the past - in this case the probability of decay at any instant
of time is constant until the atom decays.

The probability that n atoms will decay per unit of time, Pn, is given by:
𝑛
µ −µ
𝑃𝑛 = 𝑛!
𝑒

Where µ is the average number of decays per second. (We say that the number of decays
of a radioisotope follows a Poisson distribution, which is the graph of Pn versus n).

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 Assignment Instructions
Further Physics - Coursework 1

Question 2
Assuming a sample has an average decay rate of 10 per second (we will assume that the
sample is so large that this decay rate is essentially constant) find the probabilities that: 4,
6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 atoms decay in one second. Use your answers to plot a graph of
Pn versus n.
Comment on your results.

Section C

Research any of the following radioactive isotopes:

● Uranium-238
● Carbon-14
● Radium-226
● Strontium-90
● Iodine-131
● Bismuth-214
● Polonium-210
● Americium-241
● Plutonium-239
● Hydrogen-3

Question 3
Find the half-life, T1/2 of your chosen radioisotope and use the following formulae to
calculate the decay constant, τ (tau) and mean lifetime, λ, of your chosen radioisotope:

1𝑛2
𝑇1/2 = λ

1
τ= λ

Question 4
In no more than 200 words, outline one or more aspects of the importance of your chosen
radioisotope to human endeavors, such as its source and any commercial or medical
uses.

The End

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