Question

Normal water contains isotope of hydrogen 3H, tritium. It has a half-life of 12.3 years.
Determine the age of a bottle of wine whose 3H radiations is about 1/10 that present in
new wine.

Answer 1

Answer on Question #74076, Chemistry / Inorganic Chemistry

Normal water contains isotope of hydrogen $^3\mathrm{H}$, tritium. It has a half-life of 12.3 years. Determine the age of a bottle of wine whose $^3\mathrm{H}$ radiations is about 1/10 that present in new wine.

Solution

In 12.3 years the radiation would be 1/2 of the radiation of new wine.

In $2 \times 12.3$ years the radiation would be 1/4 of the radiation of new wine.

In $n \times 12.3$ years the radiation would be $1/2^n$ of the radiation of new wine.

If $1/10 = 1/2^n$ then find $n$:

$\mathrm{Log}_210 = 3,32$

Find the age of the bottle:

$A = 12.3 \times 3.32 = 40.8 \, (\mathrm{y})$

Answer

The age of a bottle of wine whose $^3\mathrm{H}$ radiations is about 1/10 that present in new wine is 40.8 years.

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