The Exponential Decay Equation

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 56 views

Introduction

Radioactive decay is a process where unstable atoms lose energy through radiation. This process is often described using exponential decay equations, which help us understand how the amount of a substance changes over time. In this article, we will explore the equation that represents the remaining amount of a radioactive compound after a certain period.

Understanding the Problem

We are given a radioactive compound with a mass of 320 grams that decays at a rate of 17% per hour. We need to find the equation that represents how many grams of the compound will remain after 7 hours.

The Decay Rate

The decay rate is given as 17% per hour. To use this in the equation, we need to convert it to a decimal. We can do this by dividing by 100:

17% = 17/100 = 0.17

The Exponential Decay Equation

The exponential decay equation is given by:

C = P(1 - r)^t

Where:

C is the amount of the substance remaining after time t
P is the initial amount of the substance
r is the decay rate
t is the time

However, in this case, we are given the decay rate as a percentage, so we will use the equation:

C = P(1 + r)^t

Where:

C is the amount of the substance remaining after time t
P is the initial amount of the substance
r is the decay rate
t is the time

Applying the Equation

We are given the initial amount of the substance (P) as 320 grams, the decay rate (r) as 0.17, and the time (t) as 7 hours. We can now plug these values into the equation:

C = 320(1 + 0.17)^7

Simplifying the Equation

To simplify the equation, we can calculate the value of (1 + 0.17)^7:

(1 + 0.17)^7 ≈ 1.294

Now, we can multiply this value by the initial amount of the substance (320 grams):

C ≈ 320(1.294) ≈ 414.72

However, this is not the correct answer. We need to use the correct equation to represent the remaining amount of the substance after 7 hours.

The Correct Equation

We are given three options for the equation:

A. C = 320(1 + 0.17)^7 B. C = 320(0.83)^7 C. C = 320(1 - 0.17)^7

To determine the correct equation, we need to understand that the decay rate is given as 17% per hour. This means that the amount of the substance remaining after 7 hours will be 83% of the initial amount.

We can calculate the value of (0.83)^7:

(0.83)^7 ≈ 0.383

Now, we can multiply this value by the initial amount of the substance (320 grams):

C ≈ 320(0.383) ≈ 122.4

This is the correct answer. The equation that represents the remaining amount of the substance after 7 hours is:

C = 320(0.83)^7

Conclusion

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the equation that represents the remaining amount of a radioactive compound after a certain period. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about radioactive decay and provide additional information to help you understand this complex topic.

Q: What is radioactive decay?

A: Radioactive decay is a process where unstable atoms lose energy through radiation. This process is often described using exponential decay equations, which help us understand how the amount of a substance changes over time.

Q: What is the half-life of a radioactive substance?

A: The half-life of a radioactive substance is the time it takes for half of the initial amount of the substance to decay. This value is typically denoted by the symbol "t1/2".

Q: How do I calculate the half-life of a radioactive substance?

A: To calculate the half-life of a radioactive substance, you can use the following equation:

t1/2 = ln(2) / λ

Where:

t1/2 is the half-life of the substance
ln(2) is the natural logarithm of 2
λ is the decay constant

Q: What is the decay constant?

A: The decay constant (λ) is a measure of the rate at which a radioactive substance decays. It is typically denoted by the symbol "λ" and is measured in units of time (e.g. hours, days, years).

Q: How do I calculate the decay constant?

A: To calculate the decay constant, you can use the following equation:

λ = ln(2) / t1/2

Where:

λ is the decay constant
ln(2) is the natural logarithm of 2
t1/2 is the half-life of the substance

Q: What is the difference between radioactive decay and nuclear fission?

A: Radioactive decay is a process where unstable atoms lose energy through radiation, while nuclear fission is a process where an atomic nucleus splits into two or more smaller nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy in the process.

Q: Can radioactive decay be stopped?

A: No, radioactive decay cannot be stopped. Once a substance begins to decay, it will continue to do so until it reaches a stable state.

Q: What are some examples of radioactive substances?

A: Some examples of radioactive substances include:

Uranium-238
Thorium-232
Radium-226
Polonium-210
Radon-222

Q: How do I protect myself from radioactive substances?

A: To protect yourself from radioactive substances, you should:

Avoid handling radioactive materials
Wear protective clothing and gloves when handling radioactive materials
Use a Geiger counter to detect radiation levels
Follow proper disposal procedures for radioactive materials

Conclusion

In this article, we answered some frequently asked questions about radioactive decay and provided additional information to help you understand this complex topic. We hope this article has been helpful in answering your questions and providing you with a better understanding of radioactive decay.