Hcc.18 the half life of silicon-32 is 710 years.

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SUMMARY

The half-life of silicon-32 is definitively established as 710 years. To calculate the remaining amount of silicon-32 after 600 years, the formula \(A(t) = A_0 \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^{\frac{t}{H}}\) is utilized, where \(A_0\) is the initial amount. By substituting \(A_0 = 10g\) and \(t = 600\), the calculation yields \(A(600) = 10 \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^{\frac{600}{710}}\). The decay constant \(k\) is determined using the equation \(k = \frac{\ln(1/2)}{710} = -0.00097626\).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of exponential decay and half-life concepts
  • Familiarity with natural logarithms and the constant \(e\)
  • Basic algebra for manipulating equations
  • Knowledge of the formula \(A(t) = A_0 e^{-kt}\)
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation and application of the half-life formula in radioactive decay
  • Learn about the properties of the natural logarithm and its applications in decay problems
  • Explore the concept of decay constants in various contexts, including chemistry and physics
  • Investigate real-world applications of half-life calculations in fields such as archaeology and medicine
USEFUL FOR

Students studying precalculus, educators teaching exponential decay, and professionals in fields requiring knowledge of radioactive materials and their half-lives.

karush
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oops this is a pre calc question

$\tiny{hcc.18}$
the half life of silicon-32 is $710$ years.
If $10g$ are present now
how much will be present in 600 yrs?
to find out $k$ using
$$A=A_0 e^{kt}$$
$$\frac{1}{2}=e^{k \cdot 710}$$
$$\ln\left[\frac{1}{2}\right]=k\cdot710$$
$$\frac{\ln(1/2)}{710}=k=-0.00097626$$
I continued with this but the answer was ?
 
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Given that we know the half-life $H$, we may write:

$$A(t)=A_0\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^{\frac{t}{H}}$$

Plug in the given data:

$$A(t)=10\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^{\frac{t}{710}}$$

And so:

$$A(600)=?$$
 
Re: hcc.18 the half life of silicon-32 is \$710\$ years.

where is $e$ ??
 
Re: hcc.18 the half life of silicon-32 is \$710\$ years.

karush said:
where is $e$ ??

Between 2 and 3...hehehe.

Seriously though...we know:

$$A(t)=A_0e^{-kt}$$

And we know:

$$A(710)=\frac{1}{2}A_0=A_0e^{-710k}\implies \frac{1}{2}=e^{-710k}\implies e^{-k}=\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^{\frac{1}{710}}$$

And so we have:

$$A(t)=A_0e^{-kt}=A_0\left(e^{-k}\right)^t=A_0\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^{\frac{t}{710}}$$
 
ok
I was pacing the floor wondering:D

great help and insight
again from MHB😎
 
karush said:
ok
I was pacing the floor wondering:D

great help and insight
again from MHB😎

Mentally, I didn't go through all that I posted...I simply reasoned that for every 710 years the amount of substance is cut in half, which leads directly to the relation I posted. However, I felt it should be mathematically justified. (Yes)
 

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