Question
The half-life of a radioactive isotope is the time it takes for a quantity of the isotope to be reduced to half its
initial mass. Starting with 165 grams of a radioactive isotope, how much will be left after 3 half-lives?
Use the calculator provided and round your answer to the nearest gram.
initial mass. Starting with 165 grams of a radioactive isotope, how much will be left after 3 half-lives?
Use the calculator provided and round your answer to the nearest gram.
Ask by West Herrera. in the United States
Jan 27,2025
Upstudy AI Solution
Tutor-Verified Answer
Answer
After 3 half-lives, 21 grams of the isotope will remain.
Solution
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Mind Expander
After 1 half-life, 165 grams will reduce to 82.5 grams. After the second half-life, that amount becomes 41.25 grams. Finally, after the third half-life, you will be left with about 20.625 grams. When rounding to the nearest gram, the final answer is 21 grams.
Speaking of half-lives, did you know that the concept of half-life isn’t just relegated to radioactive isotopes? It’s also applied in medicine, particularly in pharmacology, to determine how long a drug stays active in the body. This information helps ensure that medications are used effectively and safely!
On a fun note, the gravitational concept of a “half-life” can be seen in everyday phenomena! For example, consider how your leftovers lose their freshness over time. Just like isotopes decay, the taste and quality of food can diminish, letting you know when it’s time to toss that takeout!
