Question

The mass of a radioactive substance follows a continuous exponential decay model, with a decay rate parameter of 5.8% per day. Find the

half-life of this substance (that is, the time it takes for one-half the original amount in a given sample of this substance to decay).

Do not round any intermediate computations, and round your answer to the nearest hundredth.

Answer 1

Explanation:

5.8 % means 94.2 % remains after 24 hours .5 is 1/2 :

.5 = (.942)^n where n = the number of 24 hour periods (days)

LOG (.5) / LOG(.942) = n = 11.60 days <==== this is the half life