The half-life of the given sample is 44 years. The sample will reduce to 50% of the original value after:
Correct answer: D. 44 years
- A. 22 years
- B. 88 years
- C. 11 years
- D. 44 years
Explanation
The correct answer is 44 years because the half-life of a sample is defined as the time required for half of the sample to decay. Therefore, after 44 years, the sample will have reduced to 50% of its original value. Option A (22 years) is incorrect because it does not correspond to the half-life of the sample. Option B (88 years) is incorrect because it represents two half-lives, resulting in the sample reducing to 25% of its original value. Option C (11 years) is incorrect because it is not relevant to the concept of half-life.
This question appeared on the ETEA MDCAT 2012 paper, which you can sit online with every answer explained.
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About Half-life and Rate of Decay
Half-life is the time required for half the unstable nuclei in a sample to decay, and it remains constant for a particular radioactive nuclide. Questions use the exponential decay law, decay constant, activity, remaining quantity and mean life. Radioactive decay is random for individual nuclei but predictable for large samples.
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