A sample of a radioactive element decays to 25% of its original number of radioactive nuclides in 48 years. What is the half-life of this radioactive element?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The half-life is the time it takes for half of the radioactive nuclides to decay. If the sample decays to 25% (or 1/4) of its original amount in 48 years, it means it has gone through two half-lives (100% to 50% to 25%). Therefore, one half-life is 48 years divided by 2, which equals 24 years.

A Sample of a Radioactive Element Decays to 25% of Its