Determine the half-life of a radionuclide if after 48 hours the fraction of undecayed nuclides present is 1/8.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The half-life is the time it takes for half of the radioactive nuclides to decay. If after 48 hours, the fraction of undecayed nuclides is 1/8, this means the substance has gone through 3 half-lives (since $2^3 = 8$). Therefore, 48 hours divided by 3 half-lives equals 16 hours per half-life.

Determine the Half-Life of a Radionuclide If After 48 Hours