RadioactiveDecay

This progam computes the rate of decay of a radioactive isotope over a specified period of time. The rate of decay proceeds according to an exponential curve given by the formula:

N = N1 x E^(-KT)

where:

N= the amount of isotope remaining after time (T)

N1 = the amount of isotope originally present

K = exponential constant

T= elapsed time

Program Notes:

This progam wills solve for the following:

 -- Amount of radioactive decay in a given time

 -- Time to decay a given amount

 --  Carbon-14 dating problem

Downloads:

basic program (liberty basic) lbrd.bas

Test case:

Example:

A mummy has been unearth in which the ratio of carbon-14 is 45% of that found in the atmosphere.  What is the approximate age of  the mummy?

RADIOACTIVE DECAY

DO YOU WISH TO SOLVE FOR:

1 - AMOUNT OF DECAY IN A GIVEN TIME
2 - TIME TO DECAY A GIVEN AMOUNT
3 - CARBON-14 DATING PROBLEM

INPUT 1,2, or 3  3

PERCENT C-14 IN SAMPLE (1-100) = 45

APPROXIMATE AGE IN YEARS = 6600


RE-RUN PROGRAM WITH NEW DATA Y/N = y

DO YOU WISH TO SOLVE FOR:

1 - AMOUNT OF DECAY IN A GIVEN TIME
2 - TIME TO DECAY A GIVEN AMOUNT
3 - CARBON-14 DATING PROBLEM

INPUT 1,2, or 3  2

INPUT RADIOACTIVE HALF-LIFE =  2
PERCENT TO REMAIN (1-100) =  35.35

TIME PERIOD OF DECAY = 3.00043576


RE-RUN PROGRAM WITH NEW DATA Y/N = y

DO YOU WISH TO SOLVE FOR:

1 - AMOUNT OF DECAY IN A GIVEN TIME
2 - TIME TO DECAY A GIVEN AMOUNT
3 - CARBON-14 DATING PROBLEM

INPUT 1,2, or 3  1

INPUT AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL SAMPLE =  1
INPUT HALF-LIFE FROM TABLES =  2
TIME PERIOD OF DECAY = 3


AMOUNT OF REMAINING SAMPLE = 0.35355339
PERCENT OF REMAINING SAMPLE = 35.3553391


RE-RUN PROGRAM WITH NEW DATA Y/N = n