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Theoretical estimate of compressional changes of decay constant of 40 K
Author(s) -
Bukowinski M. S. T.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/gl006i009p00697
Subject(s) - atmosphere (unit) , physics , atomic physics , constant (computer programming) , electron , earth (classical element) , outer core , materials science , thermodynamics , core (optical fiber) , nuclear physics , optics , computer science , mathematical physics , programming language
A theoretical calculation of the charge density in metallic K is used to estimate pressure induced changes in the electron‐capture decay constant λ e of 40 K. It is predicted that λ e goes through a maximum at approximately 3.5‐fold compression and approaches its one atmosphere value at pressures corresponding to those in the outer‐core of the earth. The maximum predicted change of about 4 × 10 4 years in the half‐life is negligible when compared to the current experimental uncertaintieswhich are of the order of 10 7 years.