document.write( "Question 549639: the half-life of a particular element is 4 days. after 20 days a sample has been reduced to a mass of 0.375g. what was the initial mass of the sample? \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #357926 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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the half-life of a particular element is 4 days.
\n" ); document.write( "after 20 days a sample has been reduced to a mass of 0.375g.
\n" ); document.write( "what was the initial mass of the sample?
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "the radioactive decay formula: A = Ao*2^(-t/h), where
\n" ); document.write( "A = resulting amt after t time
\n" ); document.write( "Ao = initial amt
\n" ); document.write( "t = time
\n" ); document.write( "h = half-life of substance
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Ao*2^(-20/4) = .375
\n" ); document.write( "Ao*2^(-5) = .375
\n" ); document.write( "Ao*.03125 = .375
\n" ); document.write( "Ao = $\".375%2F.03125\"$
\n" ); document.write( "Ao = 12 grams, the initial mass of the sample
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Check this on your calc: enter 12*2^(-20/4) result .375\r
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