Half-Life of Silicon 32 - Kilani High School

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers around a homework problem from Kilani High School regarding the half-life of Silicon-32, which is 710 years. The problem involves calculating the remaining amount of Silicon-32 after 600 years, starting with 10 grams. The correct decay constant, k, is derived as k = -ln(2)/710, leading to a final amount of approximately 5.57 grams after 600 years. Participants clarify the necessity of using the initial amount of 10 grams for accurate calculations, emphasizing the importance of understanding the half-life concept in radioactive decay.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of radioactive decay and half-life concepts
  • Familiarity with exponential functions and natural logarithms
  • Basic algebra skills for manipulating equations
  • Knowledge of the specific properties of Silicon-32
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the decay constant in radioactive decay problems
  • Learn how to apply the half-life formula in various decay scenarios
  • Explore the properties and applications of Silicon-32 in scientific research
  • Practice solving additional problems involving exponential decay and half-life calculations
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for high school students studying chemistry, educators teaching radioactive decay concepts, and anyone interested in the practical applications of half-life calculations in science.

karush
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$\tiny{6.1.01}$
this was a homework problem from Kilani High School
The half life of silicon 32 is $710$ years. If $10g$ are present now
how much will be present in $600$ yrs?
find out $k$ using
\$\begin{array}{rlll}
&A=A_0 e^{kt}
&
&(1)\\
\textsf{make }A=5
&5=10e^{k \cdot 710}
&
&(2)\\
&k=\dfrac{\ln \left(2\right)}{710}=0.00097626&
&(4)\\
\end{array}$
hence A=$10e^{-.00097626 \cdot 600}=5.56685=5.57g$

ok did this 3 times but :unsure:
possible typos
suggestions ?
 
Last edited:
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karush said:
$\tiny{6.1.01}$
this was a homework problem from Kilani High School
The half life of silicon 32 is $710$ years. If $10g$ are present now
how much will be present in $600$ yrs?
find out $k$ using
\$\begin{array}{rlll}
&A=A_0 e^{kt}
&
&(1)\\
\textsf{make }A=5
&5=10e^{k \cdot 710}
&
&(2)\\
&k=\dfrac{\ln \left(2\right)}{710}=0.00097626&
&(4)\\
\end{array}$
hence A=$10e^{-.00097626 \cdot 600}=5.56685=5.57g$

ok did this 3 times but :unsure:
possible typos
suggestions ?
The only problem I see is that [math]A = A_0 e^{-kt}[/math] (Check the negative sign.) Other than that I see no problem.

-Dan
 
$5 = 10e^{710k}$

$\dfrac{1}{2} = e^{710k}$

$\ln\left(\dfrac{1}{2}\right) = 710k$

$\dfrac{-\ln(2)}{710} = k$
 
I have no idea where the "A= 5"came from!

"The half life of silicon 32 is 710 years."
So $X(t)= A\frac{1}{2^{t/710}}$.

"If 10g are present now
how much will be present in 600 yrs?"

So A= 10 g and t= 600.
$X(600)= 10\frac{1}{2^{600/710}}$
$= 6.999$ grams.
 
5 is half of 10
 
karush said:
5 is half of 10
I think what Country Boy was saying is not that you did it wrong, you just used numbers from the problem that you didn't need to. In general you have an amount A and after one half-life you have an amount A/2. In that way you can find k. You did this with A = 10 g and you did it correctly so no harm no foul. But you should recognize that you didn't have to use 10 g.

-Dan
 
Youy DO "have to use 10 g in this problem, because the problem SAID "10 gram are present now" when t= 0. Using 5= half of 10 means starting after the first "halving" when t= 710 years when the question was only asking about 600 year from "now".
 
Country Boy said:
Youy DO "have to use 10 g in this problem, because the problem SAID "10 gram are present now" when t= 0. Using 5= half of 10 means starting after the first "halving" when t= 710 years when the question was only asking about 600 year from "now".
You need the 10 g in the second part of the problem, after you get the value of k.

Hey, I'm fine with using 10 g and 5 g to get k. But you don't need to.

-Dan
 

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