Going bananas in the radiation laboratory

Hoeling, Barbara M.; Reed, Douglas; Siegel, P. B.

doi:10.1119/1.19281

Cited by 11 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…One of these is the gamma measurements of 40 K which is a clean, accurate, and, low-cost method. Some used the high purity germanium (HPGe) detectors in food measurements (Abt, et al, 2016;Acquah and Pooko-Aikins, 2013), others used Sodium Iodide Based Detectors (Hoeling, Reed and Siegel, 1999;Escareño-Juárez and Vega-Carrillo, 2012). The Fluorimeters technique has been implemented to obtain potassium content in milk again, through the measurement of the 40 K (Emumejaye, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determination of the Potassium Content in Fruit Samples by Gamma Spectrometry to Emphasize its Health Implications

Saleh

Ahmad²,

Kareem³

2022

ARO

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In this study, the activity concentration of 40K and its’ concentrations in 24 different types of fruits were determined using high purity germanium (HPGe) and sodium iodide scintillation (NaI) detectors. The results of the two measurements are consistent. The Maximum and minimum activities of 40K in dry samples were 750.61 ± 11.88 and 15.64 ± 0.86 Bq kg−1 in apricot and olive, respectively, while in fresh samples they were 152.27 ± 2.12 and 1.99 ± 0.11 Bq kg−1 in dates and olive, respectively. The highest and lowest potassium contents were 489.81 and 6.42 mg/100gm in fresh dates and olives, respectively. Drupe and Tropical fruits, as a fruit family, typically had the highest level of 40K activity and potassium concentration, whereas pome fruits showed the lowest levels. Many of these commonly consumed fresh fruits with rich potassium and water contents are lowering hypertension and improving the hydration status (HS) in people's nutrition. The rate of potassium-40 and total potassium concentration intake for a single unit or portion of the fruits was calculated.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determination of the Potassium Content in Fruit Samples by Gamma Spectrometry to Emphasize its Health Implications

Saleh

Ahmad²,

Kareem³

2022

ARO

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“…However, nuclear chemistry and radioactivity can be difficult subjects to teach due to the existing misconceptions about these topics and the lack of available hands-on activities for aiding in their instruction. − The development of these types of activities or laboratory experiments that are amenable to the K–12 and undergraduate levels is challenging due to the general concern at both the institutional and societal levels regarding handling radioactive materials. Despite these challenges, there have been significant efforts in designing new K–12 activities − and undergraduate-level laboratory experiments − that enhance student understanding and dispel misconceptions regarding nuclear chemistry.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The availability of simple nuclear chemistry laboratory experiments that can be carried out at the undergraduate level in these departments would broaden the understanding of this topic at the national level. Here, we detail our efforts to implement a previously described interactive nuclear chemistry laboratory − experiment in two undergraduate courses in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Cornell University. This experiment is designed to use only readily available and New York State regulation-exempt quantities of radioactive materials.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and Implementation of Nuclear Chemistry Experiments at the Undergraduate Level

et al. 2021

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There currently exists a significant deficiency in the nuclear chemistry workforce within the United States, despite its importance in areas of medicine, national security, and energy. Poor coverage of this topic across many chemistry departments at the undergraduate level likely contributes to this shortage. Increasing interest and hands-on experience through the availability of laboratory experiments may help alleviate this burden. Herein, we describe a set of nuclear chemistry experiments designed for undergraduate students that can be readily implemented in chemistry departments without specialized programs in this area. These experiments emphasize several concepts related to safe work practices with radioactive materials, such as the effects of distance and shielding. Additionally, the use of a commercially available radionuclide generator was implemented to have students identify an "unknown" radionuclide based on its measured half-life and gamma (γ) spectrum. This laboratory experiment was carried out by two chemistry courses at Cornell University. Student feedback obtained from these sections showed that this hands-on experiment enhanced student understanding of several key concepts of nuclear chemistry and also successfully stimulated interest in this topic. Therefore, this study demonstrates that simple nuclear chemistry laboratory experiments can be implemented in a diverse range of chemistry departments and are effective at fostering student understanding and interest in this topic.

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“…This raises the question: how radioactive are bananas? This question is not as flippant as it might sound-at least one publication has advocated using a banana as a source of radioactivity in a laboratory exercise (2).…”

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confidence: 99%

How Radioactive Is Your Banana?

Ball

2004

J. Chem. Educ.

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Going bananas in the radiation laboratory

Abstract: A simple setup for measuring the amount of potassium in foods is described. A 3-in. NaI detector is used to measure samples that are 3000 cm 3 in size. With moderate shielding, the potassium content can be measured down to a detection limit of a few parts per 10 000.

Cited by 11 publications

References 2 publications

Determination of the Potassium Content in Fruit Samples by Gamma Spectrometry to Emphasize its Health Implications

Determination of the Potassium Content in Fruit Samples by Gamma Spectrometry to Emphasize its Health Implications

Development and Implementation of Nuclear Chemistry Experiments at the Undergraduate Level

How Radioactive Is Your Banana?

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