Question

Lt takes 4 hr 39 min for a 2.00-mg sample of radium-230 to decay to 0.25 mg. what is the half-life of radium-230?

Answer 1

Radioactive decay => C = Co { e ^ (- kt) |

Data:

Co = 2.00 mg
C = 0.25 mg
t = 4 hr 39 min

Time conversion: 4 hr 39 min = 4.65 hr

1) Replace the data in the equation to find k

C = Co { e ^ (-kt) } => C / Co = e ^ (-kt) => -kt = ln { C / Co} => kt = ln {Co / C}

=> k = ln {Co / C} / t =  ln {2.00mg / 0.25mg} / 4.65 hr = 0.44719

2) Use C / Co  = 1/2 to find the hallf-life

C / Co = e ^ (-kt) => -kt = ln (C / Co)

=> -kt = ln (1/2) => kt = ln(2) => t = ln (2) / k

t = ln(2) / 0.44719 = 1.55 hr.

Answer: 1.55 hr