The half-life of ²¹⁸Po is 3.1 minutes.How much of a 170 gram sample remains after 0.64 hours?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

First, convert 0.64 hours to minutes: 0.64 hours * 60 minutes/hour = 38.4 minutes. The half-life of the substance is 3.1 minutes, so in 38.4 minutes, it will go through 38.4 / 3.1 = 12.4 half-lives. Since the amount of substance halves every 3.1 minutes, after 12.4 half-lives, the remaining amount will be 170 * (1/2)^12.4 ≈ 0.032 grams.

The Half-Life of 218Po Is 3

The Half-Life of ²¹⁸Po Is 3