The radioactive isotope of lead, Pb-209, decays at a rate proportional to the amount present at time t and has a half-life of 3.3 hours. If 1 gram of this isotope is present initially, how long will it take for 75% of the lead to decay? (Round your answer to two decimal places.)

Respuesta :

Answer:

It will take 6.6 hours for 75% of the lead to decay.

Explanation:

The radioactive decay follows first order rate law

The half life and rate constant are related as

[tex]k=rate constant=\frac{0.693}{halflife}=\frac{0.693}{3.3}=0.21h^{-1}[/tex]

The rate law for first order reaction is

[tex]time=\frac{1}{k}(ln[\frac{A_{0}}{A_{t}}][/tex]

Where

A0 = initial concentration = 1 g

At= final concentration = 0.25 g (as 75% undergoes decay so 25% left]

[tex]time=\frac{1}{0.21}(ln(\frac{1}{0.25})=6.6hours[/tex]