Half-Life of Tritium: 11.7 mg After 24.6 Yrs

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The discussion focuses on calculating the remaining mass of tritium after 24.6 years, given its half-life of 12.3 years. The initial mass of tritium released is 46.9 mg, and after two half-lives, it is expected that 11.7 mg would remain. The calculation involves dividing the original mass by four, resulting in 11.725 mg, which is rounded to three significant figures as 11.7 mg. Despite this calculation being correct, it was suggested to also consider 11.65 mg in case of discrepancies in significant figure handling. The thread emphasizes the importance of significant figures in scientific calculations.
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Question: The half-life of tritium (hydrogen-3) is 12.3 yr. If 46.9 mg of tritium is released from a nuclear power plant during the course of an accident, what mass of this nuclide will remain after 24.6 yr? (Significant figures are important)

My answer: 11.7 mg. I came to this answer by recognizing that 24.6 yr is the duration of 2 half lives. Thus, 1/4 of the original amount will be present. Dividing 46.9 by 4 yields 11.725; however, I must use the correct number of significant figures (3, I believe), so my final answer is 11.7 mg.

Please tell me what I am doing wrong, because my answer has been marked wrong and I cannot figure out why.
 
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Your answer is correct. I would also try 11.65mg - just in case they weren't being careful with sig figs.
 
Moved to homework forum.
 
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