SOLUTION: The half life of radioactive element plutonium-239 is 20 years. How long will it take for a sample of this substance to decay to 60% of its original amount?

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Misc -> SOLUTION: The half life of radioactive element plutonium-239 is 20 years. How long will it take for a sample of this substance to decay to 60% of its original amount?      Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


   



Question 812540: The half life of radioactive element plutonium-239 is 20 years.
How long will it take for a sample of this substance to decay to 60% of its original amount?

Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The half life of radioactive element plutonium-239 is 20 years.
How long will it take for a sample of this substance to decay to 60% of its original amount?
:
The radioactive decay formula: A = Ao*2^(-t/h), where:
A = resulting amt after t time
Ao = initial amt (t=0)
t = time of decay
h = half-life of substance
:
Let initial amt = 1
2^(-t/20) = .6
-t%2F20 = log%28.6%29%2Flog%282%29
t = -.7369656 * -20
t = 14.74 yrs