To explore the current state of AI reliability in a physics context, two questions were put to five free AI assistants, all available via https://duck.ai/; Why don’t radioactive decay chains end with iron? Which isotope has the highest binding energy? Before revealing the AI responses, here are my own answers. Question 1 assumes that all … Continue reading How reliable are AI assistants?
How to Use Logarithms
Although they can seem confusing at first sight, logarithms are just mathematical functions that allow calculations to be carried out quicker than would otherwise be the case. So although they may seen daunting, you should think of logarithms as a way to make calculations easier – once you have mastered the rules. There is quite a … Continue reading How to Use Logarithms
Half-life, Applications and Precautions
Radioactive decay is a random process. This means that if you were to observe a lot of unstable (radioactive) atoms, you would notice that they undergo nuclear decay at unpredictable moments. But if you extended your observations for a longer period you would spot an underlying pattern. Although it is impossible to predict when one … Continue reading Half-life, Applications and Precautions
Radioactivity Summary
The test may be done but the learning doesn't stop! I've found a great summary of the basics that you need to know about radioactivity, courtesy of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The crucial page is at https://www2.lbl.gov/abc/Basic.html but you may like to take a look at the entire ABC's of Nuclear Science section. For … Continue reading Radioactivity Summary
Radioactivity: Basics and Test
This post highlights the fundamental knowledge and key skills that form the basics of radioactivity. There is also a short online test for you to check your understanding. The first things you need to know are descriptions of the atom (how models have changed with time) and what causes "radioactivity". These two fundamentals are covered … Continue reading Radioactivity: Basics and Test
How much Iodine-131 remains?
The television drama Chernobyl inspired a series of articles in the August 2019 issue of Physics World. One of the articles was an interview with Richard Wakeford, editor-in-chief of Journal of Radiological Protection, discussing why the assessment of radiation risk is so difficult. Responding to a question asking whether access to some areas around Chernobyl … Continue reading How much Iodine-131 remains?
Mr Tarrant's physbang 'blog 