A given radioactive sample is reduced from 20 g to 1.25 g in 40 days. Its half-life would be:

Correct answer: A. 10 days

  • A. 10 days
  • B. 8 days
  • C. 5 days
  • D. 6 days

Explanation

Initial mass = 40gFinal mass = 1.25gNumber of half lives = nInitial mass x (1 / 2)n = final mass(1 / 2)n = final mass / initial mass ==> 0.5n = 1.25 / 200.5n = 0.0625 ==> 0.54 = 0.0625n = 4Total number of days = 40Half life = 40 / n ==> half life = 40 / 4 =10

Written and checked by , contributorLast updated
Report an error

The more specific you are, the faster it gets fixed. A source beats an opinion.

Prefer email? [email protected]

About Nuclear Physics

Atomic nuclei contain protons and neutrons, with nuclear size, mass defect and binding energy describing their stability. The work covers alpha, beta and gamma decay, decay equations, half-life and decay rate, along with radiation safety and medical applications such as imaging, radiotherapy and tracers.

Practise Nuclear Physics

1,254 free Nuclear Physics MCQs from Physics, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.

Discussion

Stuck on an option, or know a faster way to get there? Ask or explain it here.

No comments yet. Be the first to explain this one.

Exams that ask Physics questions like this

Physics is on 16 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.

More Nuclear Physics questions