I know how to solve normal 1/2 life equations but this one is confusing me! Plea
ID: 942399 • Letter: I
Question
I know how to solve normal 1/2 life equations but this one is confusing me! Please help me get both parts.
I know the standard equations of
t(1/2) = ln(2) / k & At= A0 e ^ (-kt)
but those didn't work when i tried. i got stuck! thanks! :)
This question has multiple parts. Work all the parts to get the most points. Radioactive cobalt-60 is used extensively in nuclear medicine as a -ray source. It is made by a neutron capture reaction from cobalt-59 and is a emitter, emission is accompanied by strong radiation. The half-life of cobalt-60 is 5.27 years. How long will it take for a cobalt-60 source to decrease to one thirty-second of its original activity? years b The half-life of obalt-60 is 5.27 year The half-life of cobalt-60 is 5.27 years. What fraction of the activity of a cobalt-60 source remains after 2.0 years? SubmitExplanation / Answer
we know that
decay constant (k) = 0.693 / half life
so
k = 0.693 / 5.27
k = 0.1315
now
we know that
ln A = ln Ao - kt
ln A - lnAo = -kt
ln (A/Ao) = -kt
given
A / Ao = 1/3
so
ln (1/3) =- 0.1315 x t
t = 8.3545
so
the time taken is 8.3545 years
b)
now
ln (A/Ao) = -kt
given
t = 2years
so
ln (A/Ao) = -0.1315 x 2
(A/Ao) = 0.7687
0.7687 fraction of the activty remains after 2 years
A /Ao = 0.7687