Physics

Problem

A researcher records the remaining number of nuclei

N

of a short-lived radon isotope at regular intervals. The data are shown below. Time

t

(min) | Remaining nuclei

N

0 | 1000 5 | 630 10 | 400 15 | 250 a. Using any two successive data points, determine an experimental value for the half-life of this isotope. Show all steps in your calculation. b. From your half-life, compute the decay constant

\lambda

with proper units. c. Assuming the same decay rate continues, calculate the additional time after

t=15\,\text{min}

required for the number of nuclei to fall to

10

(i.e.,

1\%

of the initial amount).

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