document.write( "Question 646647: The half-life of radioactive strontium-90 is approximately 29 years. In 1964, radioactive strontium-90 was released into the atmosphere during testing of nuclear weapons, and was absorbed into people's bones. How many years (since 1964) does it take until only 9 percent of the original amount absorbed remains? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #406008 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! The half-life of radioactive strontium-90 is approximately 29 years. \n" ); document.write( " In 1964, radioactive strontium-90 was released into the atmosphere during \n" ); document.write( "testing of nuclear weapons, and was absorbed into people's bones. \n" ); document.write( " How many years (since 1964) does it take until only 9 percent of the \n" ); document.write( " original amount absorbed remains? \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "The radio-active decay formula: A = Ao*2^(-t/h), where \n" ); document.write( "A = resulting amt after t time \n" ); document.write( "Ao = initial amt (t=0) \n" ); document.write( "t = time of decay \n" ); document.write( "h = half-life of substance \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "Let initial amt = 100 then resulting amt = 9 \n" ); document.write( "100*2^(-t/29) = 9 \n" ); document.write( "divide both sides by 100 \n" ); document.write( "2^(-t/29) = .09 \n" ); document.write( "using nat logs, the log equiv of exponents \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "t = -29 * -3.47393 \n" ); document.write( "t = 100.744 yrs, plus 1964 = 2065 for bones to be reduced to 9% \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "That seemed like a long time, checked on a calc: \n" ); document.write( "enter 100*2^(-100.744/29) results: 9.000 \n" ); document.write( " |