[SOLVED]another decay problem

karush

Well-known member
If 40 grams of radioactive substance decomposes to 20 grams in 2 years, then to the nearest gram the amount left after 3 years is

well i used the $N(t)=N_{0}e^{-kt}$

So $20=40e^{-k2}$ thus deriving k=.3466

Thus $N(3) = 40e^{-.3466(3)}$ resulting in: $N(3)= 14.1410$ or approx $14g$

just seeing if this correct....thnx much

pickslides

Member
I agree with your method and solution.

CaptainBlack

Well-known member
If 40 grams of radioactive substance decomposes to 20 grams in 2 years, then to the nearest gram the amount left after 3 years is

well i used the $N(t)=N_{0}e^{-kt}$

So $20=40e^{-k2}$ thus deriving k=.3466

Thus $N(3) = 40e^{-.3466(3)}$ resulting in: $N(3)= 14.1410$ or approx $14g$

just seeing if this correct....thnx much
As you are given a half-life of 2 years it makes more sense to express the decay by:

$N(t)=N(0)\times 2^{-{t}/{t_{1/2}}}$
where $$t_{1/2}$$ is the half-life.

So for this problem:

$N(3)=40 \times 2^{-3/2}\approx 14.1421\ {\rm{gram}}$

CB