The half-life of radioactive plutonium
Pu226 is 24,360 years.
How much of a 4,000 gram sample will remain
after 30,000 years?
|
Solve |
Step |
| Find A using A = Ao2-t/h | Half-life formula |
Identify
each part
|
|
Ao=
4000
|
initial amount |
t =
30000
|
time in years |
h =
24360
|
half-life in years |
| A = 4000(2)-30000÷24360 » 1703.5 | Half-life formula |
|
Interpret Þ There would be about 1703.5 grams of radioactive plutonium left after 30,000 years. |
|
|
Calculator Help |
| Most calculators....use ^ or xy for exponent key |
| HINT: use these key strokes |
| 4000× 2 ^ (-30000÷24360) [enter or =] |
| Half-life means there is half the original(initial) amount left after t years. |