Question

Phosphorus-32 is a commonly used radioactive nuclide in biochemical research, particularly in the study of nucleic acids. The half-life of P-32 is 14.3 days. What mass of P-32 is left from an original sample of 175 mg after 43.5 days?

Answer 1

After 43.5 days, approximately 21.875 mg of the original 175 mg sample of Phosphorus-32 is left, based on its half-life of 14.3 days.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the remaining mass of Phosphorus-32 (P-32) after 43.5 days, we first need to understand the concept of half-life. For the isotope P-32, the half-life is given as 14.3 days, which means that after every 14.3 days, half of the sample will have decayed.

Let's calculate how many half-lives have passed in 43.5 days:

Number of half-lives = Time passed / Half-life period
= 43.5 days / 14.3 days
= 3.04 (approximately 3 half-lives)

Now, we use the rule that after each half-life, half of the remaining P-32 will decay. Starting with 175 mg:

Therefore, approximately 21.875 mg of P-32 is left from the original 175 mg sample after 43.5 days.