SOLUTION: Tricky exponential decay word problem: Suppose a small quantity of radon gas, which has a half-life of 3.8 days, is accidentally released into the air in a laboratory. If the re

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Question 997699: Tricky exponential decay word problem:
Suppose a small quantity of radon gas, which has a half-life of 3.8 days, is accidentally released into the air in a laboratory. If the resulting radiation level is 10% above the safe level, how long should the laboratory remain vacated? (Hint: To start with, determine what fraction of the "resulting radiation level" is the maximum safe level.)
The laboratory should remain vacated for ____days
Thank you

Answer by josgarithmetic(39618)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Find k using the given half-life.



-----will be re-used later

substitute half life information data.



-
Refined Model,

The maximum safety level would be some 100%, not sure based on what units. Ten percent above the safety level would be some 110% of these units for radon gas. You want to calculate the time to decay from 110% to 100%.
-


Look back at the derivation made earlier, and starting from the step,




-----------near enough to say 13 hours.

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