Decays per second, finding mass

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In summary, the activity of a sample of (35/16)Sulfur with a half-life of (7.55*10^6 s) is 3.52*10^5 decays per second, and the mass of the sample can be calculated by dividing the decays per second by lambda, which is calculated from (.693/(7.55*10^6s)). This will give the answer N, which can then be divided by Avogadro's number to find moles, and then multiplied by the molar mass (35 g/mol) to find grams.
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Homework Statement


The activity of a sample of (35/16)Sulfur with a t(1/2) of (7.55*10^6 s) is 3.52*10^5 decays per second.

What is the mass of the sample?

Homework Equations



N=Noe^-lambda*t
lambda=.693/(t1/2)
No/DeltaT=lambda*N

The Attempt at a Solution



My attempt was to use the decays per second given in the equation and divide by lambda which is calculated from (.693/(7.55*10^6s). This will give you an answer N. From there I divided by avogadros number to find moles and then multiplied by the molar mass (35g/mol) to find grams. Didn't work.
 
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This should work. What answer did you get and what do you think is the right answer?
 

Related to Decays per second, finding mass

1. How do you calculate Decays per second?

The number of decays per second, also known as the decay rate, can be calculated by dividing the total number of decays that occur in a given time period by the duration of that time period. This can be represented by the following formula: Decay rate = Number of decays / Time period.

2. What is the significance of Decays per second in scientific research?

Decays per second is a crucial measurement in many fields of science, including nuclear physics, chemistry, and biology. It allows scientists to understand the rate at which radioactive materials decay, providing valuable information for various applications, such as dating artifacts and studying the behavior of radioactive isotopes in the environment.

3. How can Decays per second be used to find mass?

Decays per second can be used to find the mass of a radioactive substance by using the decay rate formula and the known half-life of the substance. By measuring the decay rate over a certain time period, scientists can calculate the number of decays that occur and use this information to find the initial mass of the substance.

4. Are there any limitations to using Decays per second to find mass?

While Decays per second is a useful tool for finding mass, there are some limitations to consider. The accuracy of the results can be affected by external factors such as environmental conditions and the purity of the sample. Additionally, using Decays per second to find mass may not be feasible for substances with extremely short half-lives.

5. How does the concept of Decays per second relate to the concept of half-life?

Decays per second and half-life are closely related concepts. The half-life of a substance is the amount of time it takes for half of the initial sample to decay. This means that the decay rate in decays per second will also decrease by half after one half-life. By knowing the half-life and the decay rate, scientists can accurately determine the mass of a substance.

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