In: Physics
Derive the exponential expression that describes the radioactive decay in the number of nucleotides, N over a time, t. Give an example of another physical phenomenon which is described by an exponential relationship such as this. b) A radioactive nucleotide has a half-life of 20.0 years. What fraction of an initially pure sample of this nuclide will remain at the end of (i) 50.0 years, and (ii) 100.0 years. c) Give an account of nuclear binding energy, accompanied by a labelled graph of binding energy per nucleon versus the number of nucleons that explains why some elements undergo fission reactions whilst some undergo fusion reactions. d) Calculate the nuclear binding energy in MeV of the 92 protons and 146 neutrons in the nucleus of a 238U atom. Note the following: the mass of 238U atom = 238.05079 u; the mass of the Hydrogen atom = 1.00783 u; and the mass of the neutron = 1.00866 u, where u is the atomic mass unit.