Every chemical element goes through natural exponential decay, which means that over time its atoms fall apart. The speed of each element's decay is described by its half-life, which is the amount of time it takes for the number of radioactive atoms of this element to be reduced by half. The half-life of the isotope dubnium−263 is 29 seconds. A sample of dubnium−263 was first measured to have 1024 atoms. After t seconds, there were only 32 atoms of this isotope remaining- Write an equation in terms of t that models the situation.
Q. Every chemical element goes through natural exponential decay, which means that over time its atoms fall apart. The speed of each element's decay is described by its half-life, which is the amount of time it takes for the number of radioactive atoms of this element to be reduced by half. The half-life of the isotope dubnium−263 is 29 seconds. A sample of dubnium−263 was first measured to have 1024 atoms. After t seconds, there were only 32 atoms of this isotope remaining- Write an equation in terms of t that models the situation.
Identify Initial Amount: Identify the initial amount of dubnium−263 and the remaining amount after t seconds. Use the half-life to set up the decay formula.Initial amount (N0) = 1024 atoms, Remaining amount (N) = 32 atoms, Half-life (t1/2) = 29 seconds.
Use Decay Formula: Use the exponential decay formulaN=N0×(1/2)t/t1/2. Substitute the known values to find t.32=1024×(1/2)t/29
Simplify Equation: Simplify the equation by dividing both sides by 1024. 102432=(21)29t
Calculate 32/1024: Calculate 32/1024.32/1024=1/32
Recognize Base: Recognize that 321 is 2−5. Rewrite the equation using this base.2−5=(21)29t
Convert Equation: Convert the equation to have the same base for easier comparison.2−5=2−29t
Equate Exponents: Equate the exponents since the bases are the same.−5=−29t
Solve for t: Solve for t by multiplying both sides by −29.t=145
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