Radioactive Elements Decay Via First-Order Kinetics

question 38

Multiple Choice

Radioactive elements decay via first-order kinetics. Consider a certain type of nucleus that has a rate constant of 2.4  10^-2 h^-1. A sample contains 7.6  10⁸ radioactive nuclides. Calculate the time required to reduce that number to 1.6  10⁸.

• A) 11.4 h
• B) 2.5  10¹⁰ h
• C) 6.5  10¹ h
• D) 2.8  10¹ h
• E) 5.1  10^-1 h