Half-Life of Tritium: 11.7 mg After 24.6 Yrs

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The half-life of tritium (hydrogen-3) is 12.3 years. In a scenario where 46.9 mg of tritium is released, after 24.6 years, which equates to two half-lives, 11.7 mg of tritium remains. This calculation is derived from dividing the initial mass by 4, resulting in 11.725 mg, but rounding to three significant figures yields 11.7 mg. The discussion highlights the importance of significant figures in scientific calculations, confirming that the initial answer is correct despite being marked wrong.

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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.
 
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