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The half-life of a radioactive isotope is the time it takes for a quantity of the isotope to be reduced to half its initial mass. Starting with 185 grams of a radioactive isotope, how much will be left after 3 half-lives?

User Mobob
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Answer: The half-life of a radioactive isotope is the time it takes for a quantity of the isotope to be reduced to half its initial mass.

If the initial mass is 185 grams, after the first half-life, the mass will be reduced to 185/2 = 92.5 grams

After the second half-life, the mass will be reduced to 92.5/2 = 46.25 grams

After the third half-life, the mass will be reduced to 46.25/2 = 23.125 grams

So, after three half-lives, there will be 23.125 grams of the isotope left.

It's important to note that the half-life of the isotope is a constant value and it doesn't depend on the initial mass.

Explanation:

User Adam Goode
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