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The nuclide As-76 has a half-life of 26.0 hours. If a sample of As-76 weighs 344 g, what mass of As-76 remains after 538 minutes? A) 67.8 g B) 271 g C) 144 g D) 437 g E) 251 g 26.

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Answer:

B) 271 g.

Step-by-step explanation:

  • It is known that the decay of a radioactive isotope isotope obeys first order kinetics.
  • Half-life time is the time needed for the reactants to be in its half concentration.
  • If reactant has initial concentration [A₀], after half-life time its concentration will be ([A₀]/2).
  • Also, it is clear that in first order decay the half-life time is independent of the initial concentration.
  • The half-life of As-76 = 26.0 hours.
  • For, first order reactions:

k = ln(2)/(t1/2) = 0.693/(t1/2).

Where, k is the rate constant of the reaction.

t1/2 is the half-life of the reaction.

∴ k =0.693/(t1/2) = 0.693/(26.0 hours) = 0.02665 hour⁻¹.

  • Also, we have the integral law of first order reaction:

kt = ln([A₀]/[A]),

where, k is the rate constant of the reaction (k = 0.02665 hour⁻¹).

t is the time of the reaction (t = 538 min = 8.97 hour).

[A₀] is the initial concentration of (As-76) ([A₀] = 344 g).

[A] is the remaining concentration of (As-76) ([A] = ??? g).

∴ (0.02665 hour⁻¹)(8.97 hour) = ln((344 g)/[A])

∴ 0.239 = ln((344 g)/[A]).

  • Taking exponential for both sides:

∴ 1.27 = ((344 g)/[A]).

∴ [A] = (344 g)/(1.27) = 270.88 g ≅ 271 g.

  • So, the right choice is: B) 271 g.
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