Question

A radioactive material has a count rate of 400 per minute. It has a half life of 40 years. How long will it take to decay to a rate of 25 counts per minute

Answer 1

Answer:

160 years.

Explanation:

From the question given above, the following data were obtained:

Initial count rate (Cᵢ) = 400 count/min

Half-life (t½) = 40 years

Final count rate (Cբ) = 25 count/min

Time (t) =?

Next, we shall determine the number of half-lives that has elapse. This can be obtained as follow:

Initial count rate (Cᵢ) = 400 count/min

Final count rate (Cբ) = 25 count/min

Number of half-lives (n) =?

Cբ = 1/2ⁿ × Cᵢ

25 = 1/2ⁿ × 400

Cross multiply

25 × 2ⁿ = 400

Divide both side by 25

2ⁿ = 400/25

2ⁿ = 16

Express 16 in index form with 2 as the base

2ⁿ = 2⁴

n = 4

Thus, 4 half-lives has elapsed.

Finally, we shall determine the time taken for the radioactive material to decay to the rate of 25 counts per minute. This can be obtained as follow:

Half-life (t½) = 40 years

Number of half-lives (n) = 4

Time (t) =?

n = t / t½

4 = t / 40

Cross multiply

t = 4 × 40

t = 160 years.

Thus, it will take 160 years for the radioactive material to decay to the rate of 25 counts per minute.