Q24.67 P - Chemistry: Molecular Nature Of Matter And Change

Question

Why is neutron activation analysis (NAA) useful to art historians and criminologists?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Chemical analysis damages the samples, whereas neutron activation analysis do not.

Step 1: Neutron activation analysis (NAA)

Neutron activation analysis is the technique used to determine the trace elements in a sample. For this, the sample is hit with high flux of neutrons and due to that the elements in the sample become radioactive. Based on their rate of decay and half-lives the elements can be detected.

Step 2: Explanation

NAA does not destroy the sample, while chemical analyses do. Neutrons bombard a nonradioactive sample, inducing some atoms within the sample to be radioactive. 

The radioisotopes decay by emitting radiation characteristics of each isotope.

Hence, neutrons do not destroy samples, while chemical analysis does.