Half-Life of Silicon 32 - Kilani High School

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a homework problem regarding the half-life of silicon-32, specifically calculating the remaining amount after 600 years given an initial mass of 10 grams. Participants explore different approaches to derive the decay constant and the final amount, examining the implications of their calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the formula for exponential decay and calculates the remaining amount after 600 years, arriving at approximately 5.57 grams.
  • Another participant points out a potential error regarding the sign in the decay formula, suggesting that the correct form should include a negative exponent.
  • A different approach is proposed using the half-life formula, where one participant derives the decay constant k from the relationship between the initial and remaining amounts.
  • There is confusion about the necessity of using the initial amount of 10 grams versus simply using half of that amount (5 grams) for calculations, leading to differing opinions on the correct approach.
  • Some participants assert that the initial amount must be used as stated in the problem, while others argue that it is not necessary for finding k.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether the initial amount of 10 grams is essential for the calculations. While some agree that it is necessary, others believe it can be omitted without affecting the outcome. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to take.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference different methods for calculating decay, leading to various interpretations of the problem. There are also mentions of potential typos and the need for clarity in the mathematical expressions used.

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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