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An isotope, cesium-137, has a half-life of 30 years. Starting with 40 grams, how much is left in 60 years?

User Xenteros
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1 Answer

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You can use a very simple formula for first order decay...

Fraction Remaining (FR) = 0.5n where n is the number of half lives that have elapsed.

In the current problem we want to find the FR, and we know n = 2 half lives elapsed (60 yr/30yr = 2)

FR = 0.52 = 0.25

Since we started with 5.0 g, and we have 0.25 (1/4) left, that would be 5.0 g x 0.25 = 1.25 g

User Jkcl
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