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Suppose one food irradiation plant uses a \({}^{{\rm{137}}}{\rm{Cs}}\) source while another uses an equal activity of \({}^{{\rm{60}}}{\rm{Co}}\). Assuming equal fractions of the \({\rm{\gamma }}\) rays from the sources are absorbed, why is more time needed to get the same dose using the \({}^{{\rm{137}}}{\rm{Cs}}\) source?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Cobalt contains \({\rm{\gamma }}\) rays that are more energetic (frequency).

Step by step solution

01

Define radiation

The emission or transmission of energy in the form of waves or particles across space or a material medium is known as radiation.

02

Explanation

Look at food irradiation using\({}^{{\rm{137}}}{\rm{Cs}}\)and\({}^{{\rm{60}}}{\rm{Co}}\)as sources. Y rays are created from these sources when an equivalent amount of activity is utilised. Even yet, irradiating the same dosage from a\({}^{{\rm{137}}}{\rm{Cs}}\)source takes longer than from a\({}^{{\rm{60}}}{\rm{Co}}\)source.

Cobalt and caesium are two of the most well-known sources of\({\rm{\gamma }}\)rays, according to the literature. As\({\rm{\gamma }}\)rays are electromagnetic radiation, their radiation dosage at any given period is solely determined by their energy (frequency). So, because issue statement states that caesium takes longer than cobalt, we may safely assume that gamma rays from cobalt contain more energy than gamma rays from caesium.

According to the literature, the energy of\({\rm{\gamma }}\)rays from cobalt can range between\({\rm{1}}{\rm{.173}}\)and\({\rm{1}}{\rm{.332 MeV}}\), while the energy of\({\rm{\gamma }}\)rays from caesium is\({\rm{0}}{\rm{.662 MeV}}\).

In any instance, cobalt will always provide a higher radiation dose for the same level of source activity when exposed for the same period of time.

Therefore, cobalt has \({\rm{\gamma }}\) rays with a greater energy level (frequency).

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The energy produced by the fusion of a \(1.00 - kg\) mixture of deuterium and tritium was found in Example Calculating Energy and Power from Fusion. Approximately how many kilograms would be required to supply the annual energy use in the United States?

(a) Calculate the energy released in the neutron-induced fission reaction\(n{ + ^{239}}Pu{ \to ^{96}}Sr{ + ^{140}}Ba + 4n\), given \(m{(^{96}}Sr) = 95.921750{\rm{ }}u\)

And

\(m{(^{140}}Ba) = 139.910581{\rm{ }}u\).

(b) Confirm that the total number of nucleons and total charge are conserved in this reaction.

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