Question

The half-life of Carbon 14 (C-14) is 5230 years. Determine the decay-rate pa-rameterλfor C-14.

Answer 1

λ = 1.3252 x 10⁻⁴

Explanation:

Since we are already given the half-life, the decay expression can be simplified as:

`N(t) = N_0*e^(-\lambda t)\\(N(half-life))/(N_0)=0.5`

For a half-life of t =5230 years:

`0.5 = e^((-\lambda t)) \\ln(0.5) = -\lambda * 5230\\\lambda = 1.3252*10^(-4)`

The decay-rate parameter λ for C-14 is 1.3252 x 10⁻⁴