Answer to Question #344910 in Chemistry for Ram

Question

The half life of iridium is 12.8 years. Calculate decay constant and average life in minutes

Answer 1

Solution:

iridium (Ir)

The half-life (t_1/2) of iridium is 12.8 years

Convert years to minutes:

minutes = years × 525949.2

Therefore,

(12.8 years) × (525949.2) = 6732149.76 min = 6.732×10⁶ min

The half-life (t_1/2) of iridium is 6.732×10⁶ min

From law of radioactive decay:

t_1/2 = ln(2) / λ

where λ = decay constant

λ = ln(2) / t_1/2

λ = (0.693) / (6.732×10⁶ min) = 10.3×10⁻⁸ min⁻¹

λ = 10.3×10⁻⁸ min⁻¹

Tλ = 1

where T = average life

T = 1 / λ

T = 1 / (10.3×10⁻⁸ min⁻¹) = 9.7×10⁶ min

T = 9.7×10⁶ min

Answer:

The decay constant (λ) of iridium is 10.3×10⁻⁸ min⁻¹

The average life (T) of iridium is 9.7×10⁶ min