MadSci Network: Physics |
Ben, You are correct in thinking that you might make a nuclear battery based upon the ability of radioactive elements to emit energetic electrons, ionize gases, and generate voltages. Indeed, there are some cases where this is done to generate a battery source. However the problem with this is that such a battery must be practical to carry around and use; but a battery which could generate enough power to be practical for any general portable application would have to use so much radioactivity that it would be a terrible hazard. For example 1 "curie" of radioacticity has about 3E10 radioactive decays per second. The charge of each electron is 1.6E(-19) coulombs. Multiplying these together we get a current of 4.8E(-9) coulombs per second. Since 1 ampere is 1 coulomb per second, this is a current of 4.8 thousandths of a micro ampere! This is very tiny current, impractical for most uses. Even if every electron produces 100 additional electrons by the ionization of a gas that is still only 480 thousandths of a microampere. Much too little current for any practical application. Even more important, however, is the fact that a "curie" of radioactivity is expremely hazardous and requires much shielding (lead,for example)to protect a person from radiation burns. Therefore such a battery is of use only where people are not around-as in a scientific satellite, for example. A "curie" is a lot of radiation and is also very expensive to obtain. Therefore, although you are correct to think that a nuclear battery could be made, the applications for it are extremely limited to very special situations. I complement you on your idea, however; you researched the subject in the Britannica, and got an idea which is a good one!. Congratulations. R. Bersin.....
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