How would you solve this?

If 1.00X10^-12 moles of cesium 135 emits 1.39x10^5 beta particles in 1 year what is the decay constant.

Question

How would you solve this?

If 1.00X10^-12 moles of cesium 135 emits 1.39x10^5 beta particles in 1 year what is the decay constant.

aaronq · Answer

i'm not familiar with the decay of caesium atoms, but i'm guessing that it's decay releases a beta particle. Since it's a 1st order decay scenario, you can use this equation:

       $\large A_t=A_0*e^{kt}$ 

$A_t$=amount after t time has elapsed
$A_0$=initial amount
k=decay constant
t= time

anonymous · Answer

How would I implement this equation? I know the initial amount and the time elapsed but I don't know the rate constant or the final amount. Would you be able to show me how I would use the equation?

aaronq · Answer

you're given the final amount, it's given in terms of the emission of $\beta$ particles.

aaronq · Answer

$Atoms_{Cs}-particles_{\beta}=A_t$