Question

How much radium-226 will remain from a 20 gram sample after 4800 years?

Answer 1

2.5 g mass of Ra-226 will remain after 4800 years.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given data:

Mass of Ra-226 = 20 g

Sample remain after 4800 years = ?

Solution:

Half life of Ra-226 = 1600 years

Number of half lives passed = T elapsed / half life

Number of half lives passed = 4800 year / 1600 year

Number of half lives passed = 3

At time zero = 20 g

At first half life = 20 g/2 = 10 g

At 2nd half life = 10 g/2 = 5 g

At 3rd half life = 5 g/2 = 2.5 g

Thus, 2.5 g mass of Ra-226 will remain after 4800 years.