Answer to Question #144806 in General Chemistry for Joshua

Question

At what time in the future will only 50% of the nature's perfect supply of Rn-266, with a half-life of 1.6x10^3 years, remains?

Answer 1

The half-life of an element is the time taken for half of the total number of atoms present to disintegrate leaving half remaining.

From the question, half-life of Rn-266 is 1.6 x 10³ years

From the definition given below, 50% represents half of the total amount of the element, thus, it is obvious that 50% of the element will remain when a half-life has passed.

Therefore, the time taken for 50% to remain will be equal to the half-life which is 1.6 x 10³ years.