Carbon-14 is a radioactive isotope which decays with a half-life of 5730 years.What is the first-order rate constant for its decay?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The first-order rate constant for radioactive decay can be calculated using the formula:
k = ln(2)/t1/2
where t1/2 is the half-life of the isotope.

In this case, t1/2 = 5730 years, so:
k = ln(2)/5730 = 1.21 × 10-4 yr-1

Therefore, the best choice is B.

Carbon-14 Is a Radioactive Isotope Which Decays with a Half-Life