A radioactive compound with mass 420 grams decays at a rate of 4% per hour. Which equation represents how many grams of the compound will remain after 5 hours?C=420(0.6)5C=420(1+0.04)5C=420(1−0.04)(1−0.04)(1−0.04)C=420(0.96)5
Q. A radioactive compound with mass 420 grams decays at a rate of 4% per hour. Which equation represents how many grams of the compound will remain after 5 hours?C=420(0.6)5C=420(1+0.04)5C=420(1−0.04)(1−0.04)(1−0.04)C=420(0.96)5
Identify initial amount and decay rate: Identify the initial amount of the compound and the decay rate.The initial amount of the compound a is 420 grams.The decay rate is 4% per hour, which means that each hour, the compound retains 96% of its mass from the previous hour.
Convert decay rate to decimal: Convert the decay rate to a decimal.To convert a percentage to a decimal, divide by 100.4% as a decimal is 0.04.
Determine decay factor: Determine the decay factor.Since the compound decays by 4%, it retains 100%−4%=96% of its mass each hour.As a decimal, this is 0.96.The decay factor (b) is therefore 0.96.
Write exponential decay equation: Write the exponential decay equation.The general form of an exponential decay equation is C=a(b)t, where:C is the final amount,a is the initial amount,b is the decay factor (1 minus the decay rate),t is the time in hours.Substitute the known values into the equation to get:C=420(0.96)t
Calculate remaining amount after 5 hours: Calculate the amount of the compound remaining after 5 hours.Substitute 5 for t in the equation from Step 4 to get:C=420(0.96)5
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