Curie

Definition

A curie (Ci) is a unit of radioactivity that is defined as 3.7 x 10^10 disintegrations per second, which approximates the activity of one gram of radium-226. It measures the intensity of radioactivity in a sample of material.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The curie is named after Marie and Pierre Curie, pioneers in the study of radioactivity.
2. 1 Ci equals 3.7 x 10^10 becquerels (Bq), where one becquerel equals one disintegration per second.
3. The curie is a large unit and is often used with prefixes like millicurie (mCi) or microcurie (μCi) for practical measurements.
4. Curie is a non-SI unit but still widely used in various fields such as nuclear medicine and radiology.
5. Knowing how to convert between curies and becquerels is essential for understanding radioactive decay rates.

Review Questions

Related terms

Becquerel (Bq): The SI unit of radioactivity, defined as one disintegration per second.

Half-Life: The time required for half the atoms in a radioactive sample to decay.

Activity:

The rate at which a sample of radioactive material decays, typically measured in becquerels or curies.