Investigating the half-life of Protactinium

Time / t (s)
0-10
12.5-22.5
25-35
37.5-47.5
50-60
62.5-72.5
75-85
87.5-97.5
100-110
112.5-122.5
125-135
137.5-147.5
150-160
162.5-172.5
What to do:
1. Process your data by completing the table above.
2. Write example calculations in the space below for all the calculations you have to used
Activity= count in 10s = 750
= 25,6
10
10

3. Use Excel to plot a graph of Activity (Y axis) against time (X axis) for Protactinium. Add
show the equation on your graph.

Activity (counts per second) A / Bq

35
30
25
20

Activity (counts per second) A / Bq

35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0

20

40

60

80

100

4. Use the graph to find the half-life of Protactinium.

120

140

160

180

The half life of the radioactive sample doesnt change , the

5. "The half-life of the radioactive sample does not change with time". Use your graph to p
6. Submit your work via Turnitin for marking.
7. Present your completed work on your blog using ScribD.

e of Protactinium

Background count rate

Average time for interval

Counts in 10 seconds

292

17.5

253

30

219

42.5

183

55

184

67.5

154

80

144

92.5

109

105

112

117.5

98

130

107

142.5

70

155

69

167.5

48

e table above.
pace below for all the calculations you have to used in 1 above.
5,6

y (Y axis) against time (X axis) for Protactinium. Add a best fit logarithmic line to your data and

s per second) A / Bq

s per second) A / Bq

80

100

f Protactinium.

120

140

160

180

e doesnt change , the

mple does not change with time". Use your graph to provide evidence to support this statement.

arking.

ur blog using ScribD.

6 counts per 10 second interval

Counts per 10 seconds minus

background count

ne to your data and

286
247
213
177
178
148
138
103
106
92
101
64
63
42

port this statement.

Activity (counts per second) A /

Bq
28.6
24.7
21.3
17.7
17.8
14.8
13.8
10.3
10.6
9.2
10.1
6.4
6.3
4.2