In: Chemistry
What is the half-life (T1/2) of a radioactive element with the following conditions?
-Initial Activity = 1000 milliCuries
-Final Activity = 400 milliCuries
-Elapsed Time= 20.0 days
All radio active elements undergo first order reactions
For a first order reaction rate constant , k = ( 2.303 /t )x log ( Ao / A)
Where
Ao = initial activity = 1000 mC
A = final activity = 400 mC
t = time = 20.0 days
= 20.0x24x60x60 s
= 1728000 s
Plug the values we get
k = ( 2.303 /t )x log ( Ao / A)
k = ( 2.303 /1728000 )x log ( 1000/400 )
= 5.30x10-7 s-1
Half-life of first order reaction , t1/2 = 0.693/k
= 0.693 / (5.30x10-7 )
= 1.307x106 s
= 1.307x106 /(60x60x24) days
= 15.1 days
Therefore the half life is 15.1 days