Question

A Cesium 137 sample has a measured radioactivity of 50 microcuries.Cesium 137 has a half-life of 30 years.

How long will it take this sample to be reduced to a residual radioactivity of 6.25 microcuries?

Is there a formula to calculate half life?

Answer 1

k = 0.693/t_1/2

Then ln(No/N) = kt
No = 50 microcuries
N = 6.25 microcuries
k from above (t</sub>1/2</sub> = 30 years).
t = solve for this.

Answer 2

A 45 gram sample of a substance that's used to preserve fruit and vegetables has a k-value of 0.1109.