Question

Chromium-51 is a radioisotope that is used to assess the lifetime of red blood cells The half-life of chromium-51 is 27.7 days. If you begin with 39.7 mg of this isotope, what mass remains after 48.2 days have passed?

Answer 1

11.9g remains after 48.2 days

Step-by-step explanation:

All isotope decay follows the equation:

ln [A] = -kt + ln [A]₀

Where [A] is actual amount of the isotope after time t, k is decay constant and [A]₀ the initial amount of the isotope

We can find k from half-life as follows:

k = ln 2 / Half-Life

k = ln2 / 27.7 days

k = 0.025 days⁻¹

t = 48.2 days

[A] = ?

[A]₀ = 39.7mg

ln [A] = -0.025 days⁻¹*48.2 days + ln [39.7mg]

ln[A] = 2.476

[A] = 11.9g remains after 48.2 days