Measuring Decay Rate with Geiger Counter: Calculating Error and Seeking Input

[nrm]

I was hoping that somebody would check my work. Any input is appreciated.
A decay rate of a radioactive sample is being measured using a Geiger counter. During a 10 second measurement 100 decays are registered.
what is the error associated with the result?
$$\sigma_{y} = \frac{\sigma}{\sqrt{N}}$$
My work:
$$\sigma^2 = np = (100)(1/10) = 10$$
so $$\sigma = \sqrt{10}$$
putting this into the previous equation where I make N=100 I get an error around 0.316. Did I do that right?

 

[daveb]

If you are loking for the standard deviation for the count rate, then your correct equation should be sqrt(n)/t where n is your count and t is the count time. If you are looking for the standard deviation for the count, then it's just sqrt (n).

 

[piercas]

I would like to commend you for seeking input on your work. Collaboration and peer review are essential in the scientific community to ensure accuracy and validity of results.

Based on your calculation, it seems like you have correctly determined the error associated with the decay rate measurement. However, it is important to note that this error calculation assumes that the number of decays follows a Poisson distribution, which may not always be the case. It would be beneficial to also consider the uncertainty in the measurement of time and the sensitivity of the Geiger counter in your error analysis.

Additionally, it would be helpful to provide the units for the error calculation. In this case, the units would be decays per second.

Overall, it is always good practice to have others review your work and provide feedback. This helps to identify any potential errors and improve the accuracy of your results. Keep up the good work!