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How much of a sample remains after five half-lives have occurred?

1/5 of the original sample
1/25 of the original sample
1/32 of the original sample
1/64 of the original sample
BOB

User Khaelex
by
5.6k points

2 Answers

5 votes

Answer:

C- 1/32 of the original sample

Step-by-step explanation:

User Bruno Wego
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5.0k points
2 votes

Answer:

1/32 of the original sample

Step-by-step explanation:

We have to use the formula

N/No = (1/2)^t/t1/2

N= amount of radioactive sample left after n number of half lives

No= original amount of radioactive sample present

t= time taken for the amount of radioactive samples to reduce to N

t1/2= half-life of the radioactive sample

We have been told that t= five half lives. This implies that t= 5(t1/2)

N/No = (1/2)^5(t1/2)/t1/2

Note that the ratio of radioactive samples left after time (t) is given by N/No. Hence;

N/No= (1/2)^5

N/No = 1/32

Hence the fraction left is 1/32 of the original sample.

User Ryan Parman
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4.3k points