Serial Radioactive Decay

Radioactive isotopes decay exponentially until they reach a state where no more decay takes place. This Matlab code will calculate the activity or number of atoms in a given time until they reach their final state. After experimenting, I concluded the total decay time may depend on the individual decay times of each isotope.

Introduction

Case Study

Derived Equation

Output

References:

  1. Tim Madden and Amy Street, “Think Before You Shower”.
  2. K.E. Holbert (2006), “RADIOACTIVE DECAY”
  3. LAMARSH, “Introduction to Nuclear Engineering”.