Question

The half-life of Palladium-100 is 4 days. After 16 days a sample of Palladium-100 has been reduced to a mass of 6 mg. What was the initial mass (in mg) of the sample

Answer 1

Answer:

96mg

Explanation:

Since the half-life of Palladium-100 is 4 days and the sample has been reduced after 16 days, that means the sample has undergone four half-lives. To find the intial mass, just work backwards:

• 6 x 2= 12
• 12 x 2= 24
• 24 x 2= 48
• 48 x 2= 96

As you see, I've worked backwards from the four half-lives. So the initial mass after 16 days is 96 mg.