A Nerdy Scotch-Drinking Physicist, Nicola, Suspected That the 50-Year-Old Scotch

question 106

Short Answer

A nerdy Scotch-drinking physicist, Nicola, suspected that the 50-year-old Scotch she purchased was misrepresented. Reasoning that water must contain the radioactive hydrogen isotope, tritium, because this isotope is produced in the atmosphere by cosmic rays, she decided she could use the tritium concentration in the Scotch to determine when it was bottled. She found that the tritium concentration in the Scotch was only 64% that of the tritium concentration in the water on the Isle of Islay where the Scotch was bottled. How old, really, was this 50-year-old Scotch? The half-life of tritium is 12.3 years.

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Definitions:

Cultural Background

The environment, traditions, customs, and beliefs that a person is raised in or identifies with.

Extrinsic Motive

Motivation driven by external rewards, such as money or recognition, rather than internal satisfaction.

Earn Money

The act of receiving financial compensation in exchange for goods provided, services rendered, or through employment.

Stimulating Activities

Tasks or engagements that provoke thought, interest, or excitement, contributing to mental or physical growth.