Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
The mass (m) remaining will be a function of the initial mass (m0) and the time in days (t) according to the exponential decay formula ...
m = m0(1/2)^(t/12)
a) You want to find m0 for m=7 and t=11. Put these numbers in the formula and solve for m0.
7 = m0(1/2)^(11/12) = 0.529732×m0
m0 = 7/0.529732 = 13.21 . . . . grams
The initial mass of the sample was 13.21 grams.
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b) We can use the value of m0 we found to determine the number of days until 0.1 mg will remain:
0.1 = 13.21(1/2)^(t/12)
Dividing by 13.21 and taking logs, we have ...
log(0.1/13.21) = (t/12)log(1/2)
t = 12·log(0.1/13.21)/log(1/2) = 84.55
There will be only 0.1 mg left after 84.6 days.
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<em>Comment on the calculations</em>
For the latter part of the problem, be sure to use the full-precision value of m0. Do not round any results until the final answer. Alternatively, you could use 7 mg for m0 and add 11 days to the result you get.
