Calculus applications in radioactive decay models

by Amanda Fulkerson

Submitted : Spring 2019

The purpose of this project is to go through the calculus involved in the decay of radioactive atoms. Basic differential equation outlined in this project allow us to determine the number of radioactive atoms left after any given amount of time on a site. Radioactive decay is defined as the process by which the spontaneous breakdown of an atomic nucleus occurs resulting in the release of energy and matter from the nucleus. Differential equations are essential when trying to track this decay and determine if a site is safe for human activity, or considered hazardous. This project will also outline other equations relative to radioactive decay such as the rate of decay, half life of radioactive elements and the population of daughter nucleotides that are the result of radioactive decay. All of these things can be figured out through differential equations.

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