Author Question: A collection of 1 million radioactive particles will become fewer than 1 million particles after ... (Read 23 times)

lunatika · **on:** Jul 28, 2018

A collection of 1 million radioactive particles will become fewer than 1 million particles after some of the radioactive particles decay.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Simon (Ref. 24) says We have in our ... libraries the technology to feed, clothe, and supply energy to an ever-growing population for the next 7 billion years. Is this a realistic view?

What will be an ideal response?

aloop · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 28, 2018

Answer to Question 1

This is a tricky question to answer because some radioactive particles decay to
nonradioactive progeny, but others decay into particles that are radioactive themselves. There
will certainly be fewer of the original radioactive particles after some decay, but we cannot
be certain that there will be fewer radioactive particles overall, It is to be hoped that students
grasp this, but gives the teacher the opportunity to reinforce this point.

Answer to Question 2

Simon is an economist. Economics is a human endeavor. The limits that exist to
increase of human population are not human-generated limits but exist independent of
human beings.
technology is based on the fruits of science. It cannot supersede science.
Physical limits, such as insolation, are different from those set by humans. Simon seems to
have ignored this distinction.