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The radioactivity of a certain radioactive element drops to 1/64 of its initial value in 30 seconds. Its half-life is:

Correct answer: B. 5 seconds

  • A. 2 seconds
  • B. 5 seconds
  • C. 4 seconds
  • D. 6 seconds

Explanation

Radioactivity drops to = 1 / 64 of original value Number of half lives = n (1 / 2)n = 1 / 64 (1 / 2)6 = 1 / 64 n = 6 Total time = 30 seconds t1/2 = 30 / n t1/2 = 30 / 6 = 5 seconds

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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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