118k views
0 votes
After the release of radioactive material into the atmosphere from a nuclear power plant at Chernobyl (Ukraine) in 1986, the hay in Austria was contaminated by iodine 131 (half-life 8 days). It is safe to feed the hay to cows when 10% of the iodine 131 remains.

What is the exact growth/decay factor?
a) 0.90
b) 1.10
c) 0.10
d) 1.90

1 Answer

5 votes

Final answer:

The exact decay factor for iodine 131 in this context is 0.10, representing that 10% of the original amount remains.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student is asking about the decay factor of iodine 131, which has a half-life of 8 days, in the context of how safe it is to feed contaminated hay to cows. To be considered safe, the hay must have only 10% of the original iodine 131 remaining. The decay factor represents the fraction of the substance that remains after a certain period of time. In this case, since we want to know when only 10% remains, the decay factor is 0.10.

User Mohsin Awan
by
8.3k points
Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.

9.4m questions

12.2m answers

Categories