the half life of potassium 40 is 1.7 x 10^9 years. a sample of rock contains 1.0

Question

the half life of potassium 40 is 1.7 x 10^9 years. a sample of rock contains 1.0 x 10^6 g of potassium 40. how much potassium 40 was in that sample 5.3 x 10^9 years ago? the half life of potassium 40 is 1.7 x 10^9 years. a sample of rock contains 1.0 x 10^6 g of potassium 40. how much potassium 40 was in that sample 5.3 x 10^9 years ago? the half life of potassium 40 is 1.7 x 10^9 years. a sample of rock contains 1.0 x 10^6 g of potassium 40. how much potassium 40 was in that sample 5.3 x 10^9 years ago?

Explanation / Answer

half-lives elapsed can be determind as

n = 5.3 x 10^9 / 1.7 x 10^9 = 3.12

decimal fraction remaining:

x = (1/2)^n = (1/2)3.12   

x = 0.12

Use a ratio and proportion to find P-40 present in the past:

(1.0 X 10^6 / 0.12) = (x / 1)

x = 8.33 X 10^6 g

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse T
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.