SOLUTION: The radioactive element americium-241 has a half-life of 432 years. Suppose we start with a 30-g mass of americium-241. How much will be left after 389 years? Compute the answer t

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Linear Equations and Systems Word Problems -> SOLUTION: The radioactive element americium-241 has a half-life of 432 years. Suppose we start with a 30-g mass of americium-241. How much will be left after 389 years? Compute the answer t      Log On


   

Question 672604: The radioactive element americium-241 has a half-life of 432 years. Suppose we start with a 30-g mass of americium-241.
How much will be left after 389 years? Compute the answer to three significant digits.
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
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The radioactive element americium-241 has a half-life of 432 years.
Suppose we start with a 30-g mass of americium-241.
How much will be left after 389 years?
Compute the answer to three significant digits.
:
A radioactive decay formula: A = Ao*2^(-t/h), where:
A = resulting amt after t time
Ao = initial amt (t=0)
h = half-life of substance
t = time
:
A = 30*2^(-389/432)
using a calc
A = 30 * .5357148
A = 16.071 grams