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The half-life of radon-222 is 3.8 days. If a sample currently contains 3.1 grams of radon-222, how much radon-222 did this sample have 15.2 days ago?

a 12.4 grams
b 47.1 grams
c 49.6 grams
d 57.8 grams

User Alex Nauda
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1 Answer

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The number of grams of radon 222 did it have 15.2 ago was 49.6 grams( answer C)

calculation

  • calculate the number of half life it has covered from 15.2 days to 3.8 days

that is divide 15.2/ 3.8 = 4 half life

  • half life is time taken for a radio activity of a specified isotope to fall to half its original mass

therefore 3.8 days ago it was 3.1 x2 = 6.2 grams

7.6 days ago it was 6.2 x2 = 12.4 grams

11.4 days ago it was 12.4 x2= 24.8 grams

15.2 days ago it was 24.8 x2=49.6 grams





User Kevin Carmody
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