The percentage error in the Radioactive substance Population

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the percentage error in the population of a radioactive substance after 9 days, given an underestimated half-life of 2.25 days. The actual half-life is determined to be 2.5 days based on a 10% underestimation. Participants emphasize the need to apply the correct half-life to find the population after 9 days, which is essential for calculating the percentage error, ultimately leading to the answer of 25% as provided in the original question.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of radioactive decay and half-life concepts
  • Familiarity with percentage error calculations
  • Basic knowledge of exponential decay equations
  • Ability to manipulate algebraic equations for problem-solving
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to apply the exponential decay formula for radioactive substances
  • Study the derivation and application of the percentage error formula
  • Explore the implications of half-life variations on population decay
  • Investigate real-world examples of radioactive decay and its measurement errors
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Students and professionals in physics, chemistry, or environmental science who are studying radioactive decay, as well as educators looking for practical examples of percentage error calculations in scientific contexts.

curious_mind
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Homework Statement
Initially the half-life is measured 2.25 days, but later it was found underestimated by 10%. It is required to find the percentage error in "Population" of the substance after 9 days.
Relevant Equations
## N = N_0 e^{-\lambda t} ##
Please check the question below as given originally. Answer given is 25%. I am unable to proceed.

It is given that the half-life is underestimated by 10% therefore it must be larger than originally estimated.
What I can find using the percentage error formula is ##\left( \dfrac{Actual-Estimated}{Actual} \right) \times 100% = \left( \dfrac{Actual-2.25}{Actual} \right) \times 100%=10%##

So, ##Actual = 2.5 ~days##
Now, I am unable to make relation of this with the population after 9 days, which is required to find in the question. The answer given is ##25%##. How it is obtained?

Thanks.
 

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What answer did you get, and how did you get there ?
 
hmmm27 said:
What answer did you get, and how did you get there ?
I am not getting required answer that's why posted question here. For The original question, I attached a picture. Answer given is 25%.

What I obtained is the actual half-life given the estimated half life and the underestimation percentage error of measuring half life.

It is Required to find the percentage error in the population ##N## after 9 days. I am unable to proceed for it.
 
curious_mind said:
I am not getting required answer that's why posted question here. For The original question, I attached a picture. Answer given is 25%.

What I obtained is the actual half-life given the estimated half life and the underestimation percentage error of measuring half life.

It is Required to find the percentage error in the population ##N## after 9 days. I am unable to proceed for it.
As @hmmm27 already said, please show your work. That you obtained a result that doesn't match a known answer is insufficient information for us to figure out what you did wrong, if anything.
 
kuruman said:
As @hmmm27 already said, please show your work. That you obtained a result that doesn't match a known answer is insufficient information for us to figure out what you did wrong, if anything.
I felt I already showed my work and even posted original question in the thread. But elaborating more..

We are given percentage error in half life measurement of radioactive substance as 10%. It is given as underestimated, which means the actual half-life should be more, ok?

Now percentage error of any physical quantity is given by (Actual-Estimated)/Actual * 100% which is given 10%

So (Actual-2.25)/Actual * 100% =10%

This way I obtained actual half-life to be = 2.5 days.

Now it is asked to find the percentage error in population of substance after 9 days.

Which I am unable to tell what to do next
 
You need to find the population with the correct half-life after 9 days. How will you do that? You have posted a "relevant equation." Do you think it could be a useful equation?
 

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