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A sample originally contained 1.28 g of a radioisotope. It now contains 1.12 g of its daughter isotope. How many half-lives have passed since the sample originally formed?

Respuesta :

the answer to this question is a 3 half lives have passed

Answer: 3 half lives

Solution :

Formula used :

[tex]a=\frac{a_o}{2^n}[/tex]

where,

a = amount of reactant left after n-half lives = initial amount - amount of daughter isotope= (1.28-1.12)= 0.16 g

[tex]a_o[/tex] = Initial amount of the reactant = 1.28 g

n = number of half lives = ?

Putting values in above equation, we get:

[tex]0.16=\frac{1.28}{2^n}[/tex]

[tex]2^n=8[/tex]

[tex]2^n=2^3[/tex]

[tex]n=3[/tex]

Therefore,  3 half-lives have passed since the sample originally formed.