A certain radioactive element has a half-life of one hour. If you start with 20.0 grams of the element at noon, how much of the radioactive element will be left at 3 p.m.?
a. 10.0 grams b. 5.0 grams c. 2.5 grams d. 1.25 grams

Respuesta :

your answer should be C.

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Answer: The correct answer is Option c.

Explanation:

All the radioactive reactions follows first order kinetics.

The equation used to calculate half life for first order kinetics:

[tex]t_{1/2}=\frac{0.693}{k}[/tex]

We are given:

[tex]t_{1/2}=1hr[/tex]

Putting values in above equation, we get:

[tex]k=\frac{0.693}{1}=0.693hr^{-1}[/tex]

Rate law expression for first order kinetics is given by the equation:

[tex]k=\frac{2.303}{t}\log\frac{[A_o]}{[A]}[/tex]

where,  

k = rate constant = [tex]0.693hr^{-1}[/tex]

t = time taken for decay process = 3.00 pm - 12.00 pm = 3 hour

[tex][A_o][/tex] = initial amount of the reactant = 20 g

[A] = amount left after decay process =  ?

Putting values in above equation, we get:

[tex]0.693hr^{-1}=\frac{2.303}{3hr}\log\frac{20}{[A]}[/tex]

[tex][A]=2.5g[/tex]

Hence, the correct answer is Option c.