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Question -

A radioactive isotope has ahalf-life of┬аT┬аyears. How long will it take the activity toreduce to a) 3.125%, b) 1% of its original value?



Answer -

Half-life of┬аthe radioactiveisotope =┬аT┬аyears

Original amount of theradioactive isotope =┬аN0

(a)┬аAfterdecay, the amount of the radioactive isotope =┬аN

It is given that only 3.125%of┬аN0┬аremains after decay. Hence, we can write:

Where,

╬╗┬а= Decay constant

t┬а=Time

Hence, the isotope will takeabout 5T┬аyears to reduce to 3.125% of its original value.

(b)┬аAfterdecay, the amount of the radioactive isotope =┬аN

It is given that only 1% of┬аN0┬аremainsafter decay. Hence, we can write:

Since,┬а╬╗┬а=0.693/T

Hence, the isotope will takeabout┬а6.645T┬аyears to reduce to 1% of its original value.

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