Re: [Phys-L] re Bayesian Inference in Half-Life measurement

[bernard cleyet <bernard@cleyet.org>]

> On 2021/Sep/23, at 07:54, Brian Whatcott <betwys1@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
> Basically, the "old school" method is wrong and is not used in modern
> analysis of half-life measurements.
>
> Paul


If one is only instructing simple measurement of half life to determine its time,  suppose old school does.  I’ve never heard of old school and having a neutron activator, it a horrible waste of not using the opportunity of separating two half lives.  Furthermore, old school is much less expensive and dangerous using a Cs-137/Ba-m137 “cow”.  

Back in the previous century, I (as lab mgr.) used a 2Ci Pu/Be source to “activate” silver.  

Much more convenient!   v. ~ 25s" and 2.4’  W/an MCS.   I suppose the Cu is better if one want to instruct in the Bayesian analysis.  




bc