Question

For the following table, compute the mass of grams of radioactive element D left each day if element D loses half its mass every day. What type of decay is this?

Answer 1

We start with 640 grams on day one

We lose half of that on day 2

1/2 (640) = 320 grams

Day 2 320 grams

We lost half of 320 grams on day 3

1/2 (320) = 160

Day 3 160 grams

We lost half on Day 4

1/2 (160) = 80

Day 4 = 80 grams

We lost half on day 5

1/2 (80) = 40 grams

Day 5 40 grams

This is exponential decay