The half-life of ³H is 12 years. About how long does it take for 127/128 of a sample of that radionuclide to decay? A) 7 years B) 11.9 years C) 12.1 years D) 84 years

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To find the time it takes for 127/128 of a sample to decay, we can use the formula for exponential decay, which involves the half-life. Since 127/128 of the sample has decayed, only 1/128 remains. The number of half-lives (n) can be found using the equation $2^n = 128$, which simplifies to $n = 7$ because $2^7 = 128$. Since each half-life is 12 years, the total time is $7 \times 12 = 84$ years.

The Half-Life of 3H Is 12 Years

The Half-Life of ³H Is 12 Years