The amount of a uniformly distributed radioactive contaminant contained in a close reactor is measured by its concentration c (Becquerel/liter or Bq/L). The contaminant decreases at a decay rate proportional to its concentration-that is Decay rate = -kc where k is a constant with units of day^?1. Therefore, according to Eq. (1.13), a mass balance for the reactor can be written as

(a) Use Euler?s method to solve this equation from t = 0 to 1 d with k = 0.2d^?1. Employ a step size of ?t = 0.1. The concentration at t = 0 is 10 Bq/L.

(b) Plot the solution on a semilog graph (i.e., in c versus t) and determine the slope. Interpret your results.

Transcribed Image Text:

de -kc dt decrease change by decay in mass