Measuring Half-Life of Barium 137 after Processing Cesium-137 through an Isotopic Generator

Liam OBrien, Nicholas Turco

ABSTRACT:
The purpose of this experiment was to come to a better understanding of the half-life curve of a
radioactive substance specifically barium-137 and to observe the half-life curve in using the graphing
software LOGGER PRO. The question of this experiment was to determine whether we could accurately
observe the half-life curve of Barium-137 using an isogenerator, Geiger counter, and graphing software
in order to understand what a half-life is and the importance of a half-life we viewed the exponential
decay of a graph. Our method involved using an isogenorator to convert Cesium-137 into Barium-137
and to eject radioactive Barium-137 from the isogenorator to a measuring palate in which the decay of
the Barium-137 could be measured. We recorded this decay and found that the overall curve of our
results closely resembled the theoretical curve. We found that although the results of our experiment
resembled half-life curves we had previously encountered; the decay in an experiment does not
perfectly equate to the theoretical curve modeled by an equation. Through this experiment we learned
that although our measurements can be very accurate, experimental data will never perfectly resemble
theoretical data.

INTRODUCTION:
A radioactive substance is an element that
emits ionizing radiation through radioactive
decay. Ionizing radiation occurs when a particle
has enough energy to displace an electron.
Radioactive decay is the process in which an
unstable nuclide (atomic nucleus) emits charged
particles and/or electromagnetic radiation in
order to conserve mass and energy and move
towards greater overall entropy. Radioactive
decay exists in the forms of alpha, beta and
gamma decay. In an alpha decay an alpha
particle is emitted; alpha particles are positively
charged and identical to the nucleus of a Helium
atom--with two protons and two neutrons. Beta
decay is the second process of ionizing
radiation. Beta decay takes place when there
are too many neutrons in an atom for the
amount of protons: thus a neutron splits into
one electron and one proton. The third type of

radioactive decay, gamma radiation, is the

process of an over excited nucleus emitting a
photon. Gamma decay frequently follows alpha
and beta decay, as it does in our experiment.
Cesium-137 decays to Barium-137, a beta
decay, and is followed by the gamma decay of
Barium-137.
All radioactive substances have different rates
at which they decay; scientists distinguish this
rate with the term half-life. A half-life is the
average amount of time it takes for half of a
sample of a specific isotope to decay. The halflives of different elements differ drastically. For
example: the half-life of Tellurium-128 is 7.7 x
1024 years and Barium-137 has a half-life of
2.552 minutes. The purpose of this Lab was to
learn how to accurately measure the half-life of
a sample of Barium-137.

MATERIALS:
Computer (self-provided)
Vernier computer interface (will be self-provided)
Logger Pro (will be self-provided)
Radiation Monitor
Cesium/Barium-137 Isotopic Generator
Small metal dish for Barium Solution
Eluting solution of HCl and NaCl
METHODS:
We first prepared a small metal dish with sides
that were no more than 1 cm in height to
receive the barium solution. We prepared the
computer for data collection by opening the file
03 Lifetime from the Nuclear Radiation w
Vernier folder of Logger Pro. With this graph
we counted rate vs. time and the exponential
radioactive decay of Barium 137. The vertical
axis was scaled from 0 to 1200 counts/interval.
The horizontal axis, time, was scaled from 0 to
30 minutes. We then prepared the Isotopic
Generator for use as directed by the
manufacturer. We extracted the barium
solution into the prepared dish. Then worked
quickly from the time of solution extraction to
the start of data collection, because the Barium-

137 sample began to decay immediately. We

placed the Geiger counter over the cup so that
the counts it measured could be maximized. We
then started the process of Logger Pro counting
the number of gamma photons that struck the
detector during each 30 second count interval.
Data collection continued for 30 minutes. The
detector and the barium cup remained
motionless for the entirety of the process. After
data collection was completed and all data was
collected we set the radiation monitor aside,
and disposed of the barium solution and cup
following all safety precautions and procedures
applying to our materials and chemical
substances.

HAZARDS:
Cesium-137 is a radioactive nuclide that emits
beta radiation. Working with a small amount of
Cesium 137 for 2 hours means that a person will
be exposing themselves to approximately .029
millirems of radiation. In a given year the
average United States citizen experiences
approximately 350 millirems of radiation.
Barium- 137 is a radioactive nuclide with a halflife of 2.5 minutes, while decaying it emits one
gamma ray. Barium 137 is a heavy alkaline earth
metal and is toxic. Precautions and steps should

be followed when working with the mentioned

substances to ensure optimal safety. Wear Lab
goggles for the entirety of the lab. Do not
directly contact Cesium-137 sample. While
working with these materials in the lab
protection from radiation is not needed, long
clothes and gloves may be worn. Emergency
procedures for Cesium-137 are as follows. In
case of personal contamination wash
contaminated skin with water and soap and
monitor skin for a short period afterward. Do

not abrade skin instead blot dry. In the case of a

spill or a leak alert everyone in the area,
simultaneously clearing area. Summon aid and
confine spill or leek to with absorbent
materials. In case of damage to sealed
radioactive source holder. First immediately
evacuate the vicinity around the source holder.
Next place a barrier at a safe distance from the
source holder at least 5 meters. Finally Identify
area as a radiation hazard and contact

emergency number posted on local warning

sign.

Suggested Emergency Protective Equipment

include Gloves, Footwear. Covers Safety
Glasses, as well as Outer layer or easily
removed protective clothing (as situation
requires).

RESULTS:
The count rate decreases over time. The
decrease is consistent with the activity of
counts proportional to the amount of
radioactive material remaining. On average the
counts decrease incrementally less as time goes

on. In other words as the decay increases the

activity and amount of counts decreases. This is
due to the fact that over time, more Barium137 decays, as this happens there are less
radionuclides of barium left to decay.

Table 1:

equation for exponential decay

Y= A exp ( -C* X) +B
A

373.3 =+/- 8.509

16.21 = +/- 1.765

0.2772 = +/- 0.01003

(min^-1)

.2772

t- (min)

2.5

is the radioactive decay constant (the rate at

which Barium-137 decays). The term t- is the
half-life of Barium-137. The half-life is equal to
.693/. The variable A is the initial amount of
radiation when the decay stars.

The variable B accounts for the background

radiation picked up by the Geiger Counter as
well. The variable C is the decay constant and is
equal to .

Figure 1:

Figure 2:

Discussion: Figure 1 represents a line of

theoretical decay. The second graph is of the
decay of Barium -137. They are similar because
they both decay exponentiallyas one half life
goes by half of the remaining radioactive
substance decays. The count rate decreases as
barium-137 decays. This relationship exists
because as atoms decay into a stable state
there are less radionuclides to emit radiation.
The difference that appeared in the actual data
and the theoretical data appeared as outlying
points that did not follow the trend line in the
actual data. This is because real data is never as
clean cut as theoretical. To be specific the
theoretical data did not account for background
radiation while the actual data did.
In our experiment we calculated the half-life
value of our results as 2.5 minutes. Our percent
error in calculating the half-life value of Barium137 is just under 2.1%. Therefore, our value for
t- has a 97.9% consistency with the theoretical
half-life value of 2.552. This means that our

methods in collecting our data were very

accurate. The percent error that did occur
between the theoretical half-life of barium-137
and experimental half-life is due to a small data
sample and the fact that real experimental data
is never as clean cut as theoretical.
Half of radionuclides are important things to
understand because they can help us date the
rock samples. Knowledge of a half-life can also
influence our decision of how much waste we
are willing to create when using nuclear fuel.
Elements that have short half-lives are often
more radioactive and because of this are more
dangerous for a short period of time. On the
contrary elements that have long half-lives (for
instance millions of years), are not as innately
dangerous but remain on the earth for a long
time. These are important to understand
because they inform us on decisions regarding
how we take care of ourselves and future
generations when we produce nuclear waste.