nickthrasher
Answered

A sample of rock is found to contain 100 grams of a parent isotope. How many grams of the parent isotope will remain after one half-life?



Answer :

The half-life of an isotope is the time taken for 50% of the isotope to decay, so after one half-life, half the original isotope is left.

Answer:

50 grams of the parent isotope will remain after one half-life.

Explanation:

Formula used to calculate remaining amount of an isotope after n half lives:

[tex]A=\frac{A_o}{2^n}[/tex]

where,

A = Amount of isotope left after n-half lives

[tex]A_o[/tex] = Initial amount of an isotope

n = number of half lives

Initial amount of an isotope =[tex]A_o[/tex]= 100 g

Number of half lives = 1

[tex]A=\frac{100 g}{2^1}=50 g[/tex]

50 grams of the parent isotope will remain after one half-life.