Find half life of radioactive subst. reduced by 36% in 38 hr

kalpana

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Aug 28, 2008
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Find the half life of a radioactive substance that is reduced by 36% in 38 hours
here the initial value is not given so i find difficulty doing this.
 
Re: pre calculus

You don't need the initial value. Put in a general initial value, like A, and then work the steps. The half-life does not depend on the initial value, since it is expressed as the percentage that is reduced in a fixed amount of time.
 
Re: pre calculus

Do you realize that there are two steps to this exercise? You need to find k before you can find t. Use the same formula in your other post:

P = Po e^(kt)

Here's a hint (for the first step) to go with the previous reply by Roy.

If you choose to use Po = A, then you will have 0.64A after 38 hours


My edit: Corrected wrong percentage (Thank you, Galactus)
 
If the substance reduces 36% in 38 hours, then there is 64% remaining after 38 hours.

A handy formula to know for half-life is \(\displaystyle T=\frac{-1}{k}ln(2)\)

All you need is the decay rate k.

You can find k by using \(\displaystyle .64P=Pe^{k(38)}\)

Solve for k.
 
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