Specific Activity Formula:
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Definition: This calculator determines the specific activity (radioactivity per unit mass) of a radioactive nuclide based on its half-life and atomic weight.
Purpose: It helps nuclear scientists, radiochemists, and medical professionals working with radioactive materials to quantify the radioactivity concentration.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula relates the decay rate (via half-life) to the number of atoms per unit mass (via atomic weight and Avogadro's number).
Details: Specific activity is crucial for radiation safety, dose calculations, material handling protocols, and experimental design in nuclear applications.
Tips: Enter the radioactive half-life in seconds and the atomic weight in kilograms. Both values must be > 0.
Q1: What units does this calculator use?
A: The calculator uses SI units - seconds for half-life and kilograms for atomic weight, with output in Bq/kg.
Q2: Why is Avogadro's number in the formula?
A: Avogadro's number converts between atomic/molecular scale and macroscopic scale, relating the number of atoms to mass.
Q3: Can I use different time units for half-life?
A: The calculator requires seconds, but you can convert from other units (minutes, hours, years) before entering the value.
Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation is theoretically exact for pure isotopes, but real-world samples may have impurities affecting actual specific activity.
Q5: What if my nuclide has multiple decay modes?
A: This calculator assumes a single dominant decay mode. For complex decay schemes, additional factors would be needed.