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Curie Conversion Table
This comprehensive curie conversion table shows how various units relate to curies, a common unit for measuring radioactivity. Use this reference for quick conversions between curies and other radioactivity units.
| Conversion | To Unit | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Curie to becquerel | Becquerel | 37,000,000,000 |
| Curie to millicurie | Millicurie | 1000 |
| Curie to microcurie | Microcurie | 1,000,000 |
| Curie to nanocurie | Nanocurie | 1,000,000,000 |
| Curie to picocurie | Picocurie | 1,000,000,000,000 |
| Curie to rutherford | Rutherford | 37,000 |
| Curie to disintegrations per minute | Disintegrations per minute | 2,220,000,000,000 |
This curie conversion reference table provides accurate conversion factors for both SI and non-SI units of radioactivity. All values are based on internationally recognized standards for maximum precision in scientific and medical applications.
What is a Curie?
The curie (symbol: Ci) is a non-SI unit of radioactivity originally defined as the activity of 1 gram of radium-226. This definition was chosen because radium-226 has a half-life of about 1600 years and was historically significant in early radioactivity research. Today, the curie is defined as 3.7 × 10¹⁰ becquerels (Bq), which equals 37 billion disintegrations per second.
The curie is still widely used in medicine, industry, and research despite not being an SI unit. Our curie conversion tool helps you easily convert between curies and other units. For example, 1 curie equals 37 billion becquerels or 1000 millicuries.
What is the SI of Curie?
The curie is not an SI unit. The SI unit for radioactivity is the becquerel (Bq), defined as one disintegration per second. However, the curie is still commonly used in many applications, especially in medicine and industry. The relationship between curie and SI units is fixed:
- 1 Curie (Ci) = 3.7 × 10¹⁰ Becquerels (Bq)
- 1 Millicurie (mCi) = 37,000,000 Becquerels (Bq)
- 1 Microcurie (µCi) = 37,000 Becquerels (Bq)
- 1 Nanocurie (nCi) = 37 Becquerels (Bq)
- 1 Picocurie (pCi) = 0.037 Becquerels (Bq)
What are Curies Used For?
Curies are used in a wide range of applications across medicine, industry, and research. While the SI unit becquerel is preferred in scientific contexts, curies remain common in practical applications:
Medical Applications
Radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic imaging and cancer treatment. For example, a typical PET scan might use 10-20 millicuries (0.37-0.74 GBq) of fluorine-18.
Industrial Radiography
Non-destructive testing of materials and welds. Industrial sources might contain several curies of iridium-192 or cobalt-60.
Research
Laboratory experiments and calibration of radiation detectors. Research samples might contain microcuries to millicuries of various isotopes.
Environmental Monitoring
Measuring radioactive contamination in air, water, and soil. Environmental samples might contain picocuries to microcuries of various radionuclides.
Etymology and History
The curie was named in honor of Pierre and Marie Curie, who discovered radium in 1898. It was first defined by the International Radium Standards Board in 1910 as the radioactivity of 1 gram of radium-226. This definition was chosen because radium-226 was one of the first radioactive materials to be isolated in pure form and its properties were well characterized.
In 1975, the International System of Units (SI) adopted the becquerel as the official unit of radioactivity, with 1 curie defined as exactly 3.7 × 10¹⁰ becquerels. Despite the SI adoption, the curie remains in widespread use, particularly in the United States. This historical context highlights the evolution of measurement science and the transition from element-specific to universally applicable units in the radioactivity measurement system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the curie still used if it's not an SI unit?
The curie remains in common use, especially in medicine and industry, due to historical precedent and familiarity. Many established procedures, regulations, and standards were developed using curies, making it convenient to continue using this unit. Additionally, the curie represents a more convenient scale for many practical applications compared to the becquerel. For example, medical doses that would be expressed in millions of becquerels are simply expressed in millicuries or microcuries.
How accurate is the curie definition?
The current definition of the curie is extremely accurate, based on the fixed relationship to the becquerel (1 Ci = 3.7 × 10¹⁰ Bq). This definition allows the curie to be reproduced with the same precision as the becquerel. While the original definition based on radium-226 was less precise due to measurement limitations of the time, the modern definition provides a stable and reproducible unit for all radioactivity measurements.
What's the difference between curie and becquerel?
The curie and becquerel both measure radioactivity (rate of radioactive decay) but differ in scale and origin. The becquerel is the SI unit, defined as exactly one disintegration per second. The curie is a larger unit, defined as 3.7 × 10¹⁰ becquerels (37 billion disintegrations per second). The becquerel is preferred in scientific contexts for its SI compliance, while the curie remains common in practical applications for its convenient scale.
How do I convert curies to other units?
Use our curie conversion calculators above, or multiply by the appropriate conversion factor. For example, to convert curies to becquerels, multiply by 3.7 × 10¹⁰; to convert curies to millicuries, multiply by 1000. For detailed instructions on converting curies to becquerels, visit our Ci to Bq converter. Our tool also handles conversions between curie subunits like microcuries and nanocuries with high precision.
What are common uses for curie conversion?
Curie conversion is essential in nuclear medicine (radiopharmaceutical dosing), industrial radiography (source strength), environmental monitoring (contamination levels), and nuclear research (sample activity). Whether calculating radiation exposure for a medical procedure or determining the strength of an industrial radiography source, our curie converter tool simplifies these everyday tasks.
How does curie conversion differ from other radioactivity units?
The curie represents a specific historical definition of radioactivity based on radium-226, while the becquerel is the modern SI unit based on fundamental physical processes. The curie is much larger than the becquerel (1 Ci = 37 billion Bq), making it more convenient for many practical applications. This relationship makes curie conversion particularly straightforward when working with medical or industrial sources, which often have activities in the curie range.
Can I convert very small or very large measurements in curies?
Yes, our curie converter handles both extremely small and large measurements with precision. For trace radioactivity, convert picocuries to becquerels (1 pCi = 0.037 Bq). For intense sources, convert curies to becquerels (1 Ci = 37 billion Bq). Our smart rounding feature ensures readable results for all scales, from environmental monitoring to nuclear reactor applications.
Is your curie conversion tool free to use?
Yes, our curie conversion calculator is completely free with no registration required. Simply enter your value, select your target unit, and get instant, accurate results. We believe precise measurement conversion should be accessible to everyone, from students learning about radioactivity to professionals working with nuclear materials.