Question

A chemist wishing to do an experiment requiring 47-Ca2+ (half-life = 4.5 days) needs 5.0 μg of the nuclide. What mass of 47-CaCO3 must be ordered if it takes 24 h for delivery from the supplier? Assume that the atomic mass of 47-Ca is 47.0 u.
Mass = μg

Answer 1

Answer:

5.8μg

Explanation:

According to the rate or decay law:

N/N₀ = exp(-λt)------------------------------- (1)

Where N = Current quantity,  μg

            N₀ = Original quantity, μg

             λ= Decay constant day⁻¹

              t =  time in days

Since the half life is 4.5 days, we can calculate the  λ from (1) by  substituting N/N₀ = 0.5

0.5 = exp (-4.5λ)

ln 0.5  = -4.5λ

-0.6931 = -4.5λ

λ =   -0.6931 /-4.5

  =0.1540 day⁻¹

Substituting into (1)  we have :

N/N₀ = exp(-0.154t)----------------------------- (2)

To receive 5.0 μg of the nuclide with a delivery time of 24 hours or 1 day:

N = 5.0 μg

N₀ = Unknown

t = 1 day

Substituting into (2) we have

[5/N₀]   = exp (-0.154 x 1)

    5/N₀        = 0.8572

N₀  =  5/0.8572

     =    5.8329μg

    ≈     5.8μg

The Chemist must order 5.8μg  of 47-CaCO3