Half-Life Calculations-More Practice

Front

What is half-life?

Back

Half-life is the time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay.

Front

How do you calculate the remaining mass after a certain number of half-lives?

Back

Remaining mass = Initial mass × (1/2)^(number of half-lives)

Front

If a substance has a half-life of 10 minutes, how much will remain after 30 minutes?

Back

1/8 of the original mass will remain.

Front

What fraction of a sample remains after 3 half-lives?

Back

1/8 of the original sample remains.

Front

If a 50 g sample has a half-life of 40 years, how much will remain after 120 years?

Back

6.25 g will remain.

Front

What is the formula to find the initial mass needed if you know the final mass and half-life?

Back

Initial mass = Final mass / (1/2)^(time elapsed / half-life)